Former Blagojevich fundraiser pleads guilty to fraud

[September 09, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- The former chief fundraiser for ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has pleaded guilty to taking part in a $8.5 million fraud arising from hangar roofing contracts at Chicago's O'Hare airport.

Christopher Kelly is the former head of the Friends of Rod Blagojevich campaign fund. He entered his plea Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

A signed plea agreement calls for Kelly to serve a 57-month prison sentence on top of a 37 month term he must serve in an unrelated tax case.

Kelly is to surrender to start serving his sentence Sept. 18.

Kelly still faces charges as a Blagojevich co-defendant in the case that includes allegations the former governor sought to sell or trade President Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

[Associated Press]

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