CHICAGO (AP) – A civil trial is underway in a federal court in Chicago that involves actions during Rod Blagojevich’s time as Illinois governor.
The trial involves a pay-to-play deal allegedly involving the imprisoned Blagojevich and a member of the Illinois racetrack industry.
Illinois casinos sued to recoup millions of dollars from several tracks. The casinos paid millions in an effective tax imposed by the Blagojevich-era Legislature. The money was 3 percent of the casinos’ adjusted gross revenue and it went to the financially struggling but politically well-connected tracks.
Blagojevich is imprisoned in Colorado and isn’t on the witness list. But ex-chief of staff Lon Mon is.
Monk pleaded guilty in 2009 to helping Blagojevich try to squeeze the track owner for a $100,000 campaign donation. Three Blagojevich convictions relate to that scheme.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
