Former Law School Roommate to Testify Against Ex-Illinois Governor
A former law school roommate of Rod Blagojevich has agreed to help the feds with their corruption case against the ex-Illinois governor, in exchange for a recommended two-year prison term.
Alonzo “Lon” Monk, 51, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Chicago to a single count of wire fraud. It concerned a scheme to obtain a $100,000 campaign contribution from a racetrack owner in return for the governor’s promised signature on legislation that would benefit the horse-racing industry, according to the Chicago Tribune and a local CBS affiliate.
Monk is a former chief of staff and two-time campaign manager for Blagojevich. The two are former roommates at Pepperdine University School of Law, notes the Associated Press.
The Tribune provides a copy of the plea agreement.
As discussed in earlier ABAJournal.com posts, the former governor was impeached by the state senate earlier this year. He is accused of having attempted to sell an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Barack Obama, among other allegations of political corruption.
