Prosecution in Blago trial will finish in two weeks

Capitol Fax:

The prosecution expects to wrap things up in two weeks…

Government prosecutors have on a couple of occasions said they’re ahead of schedule in their case against the former governor of Illinois.

Now, the Chicago Sun-Times has just learned that prosecutors may rest its case against Rod Blagojevich the week after next.

Judge James Zagel had set aside 15-17 weeks for the trial.

The trial is only now in its fourth full week and the government is already moving on from the bulkiest part of its case — testimony about the U.S. Senate seat.

While there’s expected to be additional testimony in that regard, including about a $1.5 million promise of a contribution in exchange for a Jesse Jackson Jr. appointment, numerous key recordings were already played about the Senate seat.

Government witnesses have taken the stand and delivered explosive testimony at a quick clip. Key witnesses — including former chief of staff John Harris and lobbyist Lon Monk were on and off the stand in a matter of a few days.

By contrast, Stuart Levine, the chief witness in the trial of businessman Tony Rezko, was on the witness stand in that trial for parts of 15 days.