 Alonzo "Lon" Monk, former chief of staff for Blagojevich, testified
that Rezko provided him with "seven to nine" envelopes filled with
$10,000 in cash, beginning in spring 2004.The nature of those
envelopes is now under scrutiny.
Monk had said the envelopes were advance payments for future work
for Rezko.
"Wasn't that money to keep you quiet?" Lead defense attorney Sam
Adam Jr. asked, his voice rising.
Monk denied the payments were hush money, but Blagojevich's lead
attorney continued to lay into the witness. Adam pointed to Monk's
written statement to the FBI and his testimony to a grand jury, in
which he described the money as gifts, rather than advance payments.
The envelopes came at the cusp of an investigation into the
Health Facilities Planning Board, which eventually exposed
now-convicted board member Stuart Levine's ties to Rezko and other
corrupt practices.
Levine is expected to testify against the governor later this
summer.
Monk confirmed the defense's argument that Blagojevich ordered an
investigation into the board. The state has accused Blagojevich of
working with Levine and Rezko to make money off his role as
governor.
Monk said none of the money he received ever made its way to
Blagojevich -- a point on which Adam focused much of his
questioning.
Adam has argued that Blagojevich's financial troubles are
evidence of his innocence, repeatedly telling jurors during his
opening statement that the former governor "didn't see a dime."
[to top of second column] |
Adam indicated that Monk's story had changed in order to secure
his plea deal with the government.
Monk was initially facing up to 20 years in prison in connection
with a bribery charge when he agreed to cooperate with the
government. The charge was later reduced to a lesser count in which
he faced up to five years in prison. Monk will receive a two-year
prison sentence in exchange for his testimony.
"You want your deal, don't you, Mr. Monk?" Adam said.
Monk's face grew red throughout the tense questioning -- a far
cry from his former college roommate and alleged co-conspirator.
Blagojevich remained calm throughout the bruising
cross-examination. Rather than writing away on his legal pad as he
has done throughout the trial, the former governor relaxed in his
chair and fixed his eyes on Monk.
[Illinois
Statehouse News]
 |
