(AP) - Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is making his final plea for leniency to the judge who will impose his sentence, saying he "never set out to break the law."
     
While he apologized for his crimes, Blagojevich said he did not know he was breaking the law. He told Judge James Zagel that he thought what he was doing was "permissible," but that he was mistaken.
     
Blagojevich said he acknowledges his crimes and is "unbelievably sorry." He says he's made "terrible mistakes." 
           
Blagojevich also said the legal battle that ended with his conviction on federal corruption charges has destroyed the innocence of his two daughters.
     
Blagojevich apologized for what his daughter's lives have become - how they will carry with them every day the understanding that their father is a convicted felon.
     
He also touched on how tough it is for his daughters because everybody knows who they are, saying that their unusual family name will make it impossible for them to hide who they are.
     
Blagojevich says he's already told his daughters that they have to accept the verdict. And he says he asked his daughters not to be ashamed of him.

The impeached Illinois governor spoke Wednesday as he waits to learn his punishment on charges that include trying to sell an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.
     
Prosecutors have asked for a prison sentence of 15-20 years.