Appeals court tosses out some of imprisoned ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's convictions

CHICAGO — An appeals court has tossed out some of imprisoned ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's convictions that he sought to sell or trade President Barack Obama's old U.S. Senate seat.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago released the dramatic ruling Tuesday, July 21st.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the decision means the Democrat faced will serve less than the 14 years he was sentenced to in 2011.

Jurors convicted the 58-year-old of 18 corruption counts over two trials. Most related to charges he tried to swap an appointment to Obama's vacated seat for campaign money or a job.

The court upheld some of those counts and others linked to separate play-to-pay schemes.

During arguments over Blagojevich's appeal, the court focused on where the line was between legal and illegal political horse-trading.