Love him tender: Blagojevich still Elvis fanatic in prison

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2007 file photo, Illinois former Gov. Rod Blagojevich holds an "I Love Elvis" bumper sticker at the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen's Association meeting in Springfield, Ill. Federal prosecutors, on Monday, July 11, 2016, are asking a judge to order Blagojevich to serve his entire 14-year prison term when he returns to court for resentencing next month. But his attorneys want about nine years lopped off the sentence of the man they say has been a model prisoner who's tutored, taught and counseled fellow inmates while also forming an Elvis-inspired rock band. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File) FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2007 file photo, Illinois former Gov. Rod Blagojevich holds an "I Love Elvis" bumper sticker at the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen's Association meeting in Springfield, Ill. Federal prosecutors, on Monday, July 11, 2016, are asking a judge to order Blagojevich to serve his entire 14-year prison term when he returns to court for resentencing next month. But his attorneys want about nine years lopped off the sentence of the man they say has been a model prisoner who's tutored, taught and counseled fellow inmates while also forming an Elvis-inspired rock band. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

By Associated Press July 12, 2016 1 min read

CHICAGO (AP) – Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich gave up his life-sized Elvis Presley statue when he went to prison in 2012, but not his love for the King.

Blagojevich’s attorney says in court documents arguing for a reduction in his 14-year sentence that he has studied guitar and formed a band named after one of Elvis’s biggest hits: “Jailhouse Rock.”

Attorney Leonard Goodman says Blagojevich and another inmate have performed as “The Jailhouse Rockers” at times.

Goodman also says Blagojevich has been anything but a hound dog while serving time for corruption convictions, tutoring inmates studying for their GED, teaching history and providing job interview counseling for soon-to-be-released inmates.

Under his current sentence, Blagojevich cannot be released until early 2024 at the earliest. His resentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 9.