Blagojevich Blames Federal Prosecutor for Aide’s Suicide

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is blaming the federal prosecutor who obtained the indictment against him for the suicide of his friend and fundraiser Christopher Kelly.

In an interview with Washington Times' American Morning News, Blagojevich said he was holding U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald personally responsible for Kelly’s death.

Kelly pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges last week and felt pressure to testify against Blagojevich, officials told the Chicago Tribune. He died Friday as a result of an overdose of over-the-counter medication.

Blagojevich decried the tactics of Fitzgerald, who announced Blagojevich’s arrest on political corruption charges in December. "His allegations are false, flat out false, and his tactics, his tactics are very, very much open to question," Blagojevich said. "Somebody now has taken his life because the pressure he felt to lie about me."

Hat tip to Main Justice.