Judge Zagel said he does not believe Blagojevich was really considering appointing Attorney General Lisa Madigan senator as a way to appease her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan. Nor does Judge Zagel believe Blagojevich was really considering appointing himself. Zagel believes Blagojevich was leaning toward appointing Jesse Jackson Jr. in order to get the $1.5 million in contributions fro Jackson's supporters.

So the amount of money sought should count toward making Blagojevich eligible for more time in prison, Zagel says.

-Natasha Korecki & Abdon M. Pallasch