Illinois Governer's aid pleads guilty

Chicago Sun-Times:

A former top aide to Rod Blagojevich pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, admitting he discussed having his then boss appoint an adviser to President Obama to the U.S. Senate in exchange for financial benefits for the ex-governor.

The 26-page plea deal details various conversations that allegedly took place between Blagojevich and his former chief of staff, John Harris, concerning who would fill Obama’s open seat.

Harris’ plea deal also reveals a new allegation against the ex-governor concerning “Senate Candidate D,” identified by three sources as former Senate President Emil Jones.

Harris says Blagojevich sent him to deliver a quid pro quo request to the now-retired Jones.

Harris said he was to tell Jones to relinquish his campaign warchest to Blagojevich in exchange for a U.S. Senate seat appointment.

According to his plea agreement, Harris didn’t make the demand.

...

As part of his plea deal, Harris has agreed to act as a witness against Blagojevich or in any other investigation.

...

Harris’ attorney, Terry Ekl, indicated that Harris — who was Mayor Daley’s former budget director as well as the city’s deputy aviation commissioner — has spoken to authorities about matters not related to Blagojevich.

“When John Harris began to cooperate with the government he did not pick and choose the subject matters,” Ekl said. “He has been questioned on a variety of subjects. He has been truthful and honest about all of those.”

...

There is more. It appears that Harris has pretty damaging evidence about his old boss as well as others in Chicago government. It will be interesting to see of the US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald pursues indictments against others.

Blagojevich will need a very creative defense to dodge a conviction in this case. Too date he has not demonstrated that capacity.

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