Chicago: Impeached Illinois governor Rod R Blagojevich will be sentenced on December 6 by a US court in connection with a case of corruption in which he was accused along with two Indian-American businessmen.

Blagojevich, along with two Indian American businessmen Rajinder Bedi and Raghuveer Nayak, were accused of being involved in wire fraud and extortion for trying to sell the senate seat of Barack Obama, whose election to the post of president had left it vacant.

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Although Blagojevich was convicted in June, no charges were framed against the two Indians. During the hearing yesterday, US District Judge James Zagel set sentencing for Blagojevich on December 6 and, if necessary, December 7, US Attorney`s Office said, adding that government and defence were ordered to file their respective sentencing memos by November 30.

Bedi and Nayak were also accused of helping Blagojevich for planning to hold a fundraiser in return to appoint Jesse Jackson Junior in the senate seat. Bedi was an aide in the Blagojevich government whereas Nayak was said to be close to the Jackson family. They allegedly sold the empty seat in exchange for a USD 6 million fundraiser and raise a million dollars for Blagojevich.

In August, a federal grand jury subpoenaed 30 doctors including more than 10 of Nayak`s employees. FBI was investigating whether Nayak made improper payments to doctors to perform surgery at his surgical centres he owns in Illinois and Indiana.

PTI