Federal prosecutors will push for Springfield’s William Cellini to be sentenced to 8 years in prison. That’s according to the Chicago Tribune, which cites a federal court filing. Cellini, a longtime power player in Illinois politics, was convicted for trying to extort campaign money from a Hollywood producer.
Federal guidelines recommend a 6 1/2 to 8 year sentence for the crime. But prosecutors also pointed out Cellini’s age — he’s 77 — and his health problems and say it might be a situation where it’s appropriate for the judge to give a more lenient sentence. Cellini’s attorneys have argued for probation.
Cellini is scheduled to be sentenced July 23 in Chicago.
