Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was greeted by a mass of reporters as he left his house to begin a 14-year prison sentence for corruption.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER ILLINOIS GOVERNOR ROD BLAGOJEVICH, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I'm leaving with a heavy heart, a clear conscience, but I have high, high hopes for the future. And among the hopes is now you guys can go home and our neighbors can get their neighborhood back."<br/> <br />Blagojevich was convicted on several federal corruption charges that included conspiring to sell the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama in return for political favors and donations.<br/> <br />The outspoken Democrat has refused to apologize for his actions -- saying he is appealling the case. The 55-year-old begins serving his sentence at a Colorado prison on Thursday.<br/> <br />Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
