Former top aide to resume testimony in corruption trial of ousted Ill. Gov. Blagojevich
By Mike Robinson, APThursday, June 10, 2010
Second day of testimony ahead in Blagojevich trial
CHICAGO — A former chief of staff for Rod Blagojevich will be back on the witness stand to testify in the former Illinois governor’s corruption trial.
Alonzo Monk is likely to tell jurors Thursday how a racetrack owner was allegedly pressured to deliver a hefty campaign contribution to Blagojevich. Monk has pleaded guilty to scheming to pressure the man and is testifying in hopes of a lighter sentence.
In his first day of testimony Wednesday, Monk walked jurors through the earliest days of an alleged scheme involving himself and Blagojevich, as well as fundraisers Christopher Kelly and Tony Rezko.
Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to trying to profit from his power to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama and squeezing people for campaign contributions.
