Cellini Gives Up Bid to Remain Free

" A former Illinois powerbroker has withdrawn his request to remain free pending appeal of his corruption conviction and will start serving a year-long sentence on Jan. 4.

William Cellini's one-page filing cites "the stress" the case has put on his family and the 78-year-old's poor health.

Defense attorney Thomas Kirsch II tells The Associated Press Cellini is considering forgoing any appeal -- even though he believes he would prevail "

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