Ex-Blago aide Lon Monk sentenced to two years in prison
BY DAN MIHALOPOULOS Staff Reporter dmihalopoulous@suntimes.com April 3, 2012 2:51PM
Lon Monk leaves the Dirkson Federal Building after sentencing on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2011. | Al Podgorski~Chicago Sun-Times
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Updated: May 5, 2012 8:10AM
Alonzo “Lon” Monk — the law school roommate of imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich who became the governor’s first chief of staff and eventually testified against him — was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison. U.S. District Judge James Zagel also ordered Monk to pay a $7,500 fine for his role in the corruption scandal that brought down the disgraced ex-governor. Federal prosecutors had recommended Zagel sentence Monk, 53, to two years in prison but asked to impose a heftier fine of $75,000. Defense attorneys had argued that the prison sentence was excessive compared to the consequences for other figures caught up in Blagojevich’s corruption scandal. However, Zagel told prosecutors they could have successfully argued for a three-year sentence. Zagel said Monk, owing to his long relationship with Blagojevich, “knew what kind of man the governor was” sooner than another corrupt chief of staff, John Harris, whom Zagel sentenced last week to only 10 days in prison. Before working in his administration, Monk knew that Blagojevich exhibited “relentless persistence to get his own way,” Zagel said. The judge also said Monk remained at his post for a long period and then became a Springfield lobbyist who was compensated “exceptionally well.” He made about $1 million in a year as a lobbyist after leaving the administration. Under those circumstance, Zagel said, Monk’s motive was, “in some significant sense, self-serving.” Moments before learning his punishment, Monk had stood before the judge and said, “I’m prepared to serve my sentence … I’m sorry for what I’m done. I regret it and I’m looking to come back a better person, a better husband, a better father and a better friend.” Monk’s lawyer Michael Shepard argued that the two-year sentence would be very long compared to Harris’ prison term and the sentence received by another Blagojevich aide, Joseph Cari, who is on probation and will not serve anytime behind bars. But Assistant U.S. Atty. Chris Niewoehner said Monk spurned initial efforts by authorities who sought his cooperation in their probe. “That makes him different from individuals like John Harris and Joe Cari,” the prosecutor said. Monk, who was a groomsman at Blagojevich’s wedding, admitted he helped shake down a racetrack owner for a hefty campaign contribution to Blagojevich. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud and testified against Blagojevich in exchange for a recommendation from prosecutors of a two-year sentence rather than the maximum five years. Monk was a key prosecution witness at Blagojevich’s two trials, telling jurors how he and Blagojevich tried to squeeze the racetrack owner for a $100,000 campaign contribution by threatening state action that would hurt the racing industry. Blagojevich withheld approval of legislation that the industry wanted pending the contribution. Jurors even heard a conversation in which Rod Blagojevich is heard coaching Monk on how to ask track owner -- and Monk lobbying client -- John Johnston for the cash. “Give us the money. One has nothing to do with the other,” Monk told Blagojevich he would tell Johnston, referring to the contribution and the legislation. “Give us the f---ing money.” Eventually, Blagojevich signed the bill -- after his arrest in December 2008. The contribution was never made. The beach-loving Monk grew up the son of a Beverly Hills physician in southern California, where peacocks roamed the family home’s grounds. Blagojevich was raised in blue-collar Chicago, the son of a Serbian-immigrant factory worker. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, the pair forged a bond at Pepperdine University’s law school in Malibu, Calif. Monk gave up a career as a Los Angeles sports agent to join Blagojevich’s staff after Blagojevich was elected to Congress. While prosecutors never accused Harris of profiting personally, they have said that Monk did, accepting illicit $10,000 payments from former Blagojevich campaign fund-raiser Tony Rezko, slipped to him in envelopes stuffed with $100 bills. Blagojevich and Monk’s friendship was clear on FBI wiretaps. On one, Blagojevich comforts a melancholy Monk. Calling him “Lonster,” Blagojevich say soothingly, “If you need someone to talk to, call me, I’ll be here.” Monk’s sentencing came three weeks after Blagojevich reported to a federal prison outside Denver to begin a 14-year sentence after being convicted of 18 corruption counts, including charges that he tried to trade or sell an appointment to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the election of President Barack Obama. Monk is scheduled to report to prison in Terre Haute, Ind., on July 6.
