Senate testimony to wrap up at Blagojevich retrial

[May 17, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Testimony about allegations that Rod Blagojevich sought to sell or trade President Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat is nearly done.

The ousted Illinois governor's retrial resumes Monday with cross-examination of longtime Blagojevich friend John Wyma.

Prosecutors say they'll wrap up with their last witnesses on the Senate seat issue sometime this week. Their focus then switches to allegations that Blagojevich tried to squeeze executives for campaign cash by threatening state decisions that could hurt their businesses.

Wyma has spoken both about the Senate seat and the alleged shakedowns. He also described how he agreed to cooperate with the FBI, and he says that decision was deeply upsetting.

Blagojevich told reporters last week that Wyma is lying. He says his friend's testimony was like "a dagger" through his heart.

[Associated Press; By MICHAEL TARM]

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