After discussing Rod Blagojevich's interest in offering appointments to state boards in exchange for campaign contributions, former aide Alonzo Monk also testified Thursday that the former governor told him two years ago about an alleged deal with former State Senate President Emil Jones to block passage of an ethics bill if Blagojevich would appoint him to the U.S. Senate seat. That deal was apparently stymied when then-Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama called Jones in September 2008 and pushed him to let the ethics bill pass.
The prosecution also played tapes of the former governor discussing the possible appointments of both Blair Hull and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who Blagojevich hoped would provide fundraising help, according to Monk. The trial will resume Monday.
Sources
• AP
• Illinois Statehouse News
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