Sentencing to go ahead for ex-Ill. gov's adviser

[May 07, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal judge has refused to postpone sentencing for ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's former chief fundraiser.

U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo's decision Wednesday intensifies the pressure on Christopher G. Kelly to make a deal with federal prosecutors and cooperate in their investigation of the former governor.

Kelly led the Friends of Rod Blagojevich campaign fund and served as a close adviser to the former governor.

He pleaded guilty in January to federal tax charges for concealing his use of company money to cover his gambling debts. Sentencing is set for May 29.

Kelly also faces charges he schemed with Blagojevich to defraud Illinois taxpayers and helped engineer a massive fraud against American Airlines and United Airlines involving a roofing contract at O'Hare International Airport.

[Associated Press; By MIKE ROBINSON]

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