Monk pleads not guilty
By MIKE ROBINSON - The Associated Press
CHICAGO – A former top aide in the governor’s office pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges that he took part in the corruption that prosecutors say swirled around ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Alonzo Monk, 50, a longtime Blagojevich friend who served as his chief of staff in the governor’s office, mostly was silent at the five-minute arraignment before U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel.
Although he did plead not guilty, federal prosecutors say they expect him to make a deal and take the stand as a government witness if the case goes to trial.
Another former Blagojevich chief of staff charged in the case, John Harris, also has pleaded not guilty. But his attorneys have announced that he is cooperating with the government and prosecutors say he could be a federal witness as well.
Blagojevich himself was arraigned earlier on charges that he tried to trade or sell President Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat and used the muscle of the governor’s office to pressure businesses doing business with the state for campaign donations.
He has pleaded not guilty and vowed to clear his name.
Monk, who became a lobbyist after leaving the governor’s office, is a supporting player in the Blagojevich allegations. He is charged in just one wire fraud count in the sweeping 19-count corruption indictment.
The indictment accuses him of plotting with the now impeached governor and others to use the governor’s office as a money-making machine with the proceeds to be distributed after Blagojevich left office.
He also is accused of scheming with Blagojevich to provide convicted fixer Tony Rezko with influence over boards and commissions. The indictment claims Rezko gave Monk cash gifts totaling $70,000 to $90,000 to pay for a car and home improvements.
