Aide for Blagojevich says he made deal for Obama's seat
Here's an article in the Bulletin where we learn one of Blago's aides has testified:
CHICAGO — A former Illinois government insider testified Thursday that then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich told him two years ago of an alleged deal under which a lawmaker would stop passage of an ethics bill if Blagojevich would appoint him to Barack Obama’s Senate seat.I'm sure Obama's trying to deny any involvement in this scandal. But that doesn't mean it's not possible.
Alonzo Monk, who was Blagojevich’s chief of staff for three years, said the governor was eager to stop the bill, which would have sharply limited his ability to raise campaign funds.
Monk testified at Blagojevich’s corruption trial that the governor told him in 2008 that state Senate President Emil Jones of Chicago had agreed to block the bill.
“Blagojevich told me that if Emil did not pass the bill and Obama became president, then Rod would name him to the seat,” Monk testified.
Asked if he took the matter seriously, Monk said, “Yes.”
Labels: political corruption, United States
