Since he?s taken the stand as the star witness in former Gov. George Ryan?s public corruption trial, it?s been tough to figure out who Scott Fawell is testifying for ? the government or the defense.

On Monday morning, an agitated Fawell tried to make the distinction himself. Emphatically pointing his finger, Ryan?s former chief of staff said that even though he?s the government?s witness, he wanted to ?be clear? that he?s ?not in the tank with anybody? and is in court to tell the truth to keep his fiancee out of prison.

?I think my testimony has cut both ways. I think if you ask the government, they are not overly thrilled,? Fawell said, raising his voice as he answered defense questions. ?I?m guessing you guys aren?t overly thrilled. You know why? Because the truth sometimes does land in the middle.?

Fawell became agitated under cross-examination by Marvin Bloom, an attorney for Ryan?s co-defendant Lawrence Warner, a longtime Ryan friend and state lobbyist.

Fawell hasn?t hidden his disdain for prosecutors even though he?s testifying for them as part of a plea deal. And prosecutors argue that Fawell has ?eagerly? answered defense questions that appeared helpful to Ryan. They filed a motion asking they be allowed to treat him like an adverse witness.

?Fawell?s testimony and demeanor on cross-examination have made it evident that Fawell identifies himself as being on George Ryan?s team,? prosecutors wrote.

After Fawell?s statements Monday morning, U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer noted his statements made his position clear.

?I don?t think he?s in anybody?s pocket,? Pallmeyer said.

Bloom asked Fawell ? who is serving a 6 1/2 year prison sentence for a public corruption conviction ? whether he thought people lied at his 2003 trial so they can could get a break from prosecution. Fawell answered that he knew they lied.

Bloom then asked Fawell if he were receiving benefits himself, pressing whether he too was guaranteed a break in his sentence because of his cooperation in Ryan?s trial.

?I?m not guaranteed of anything,? Fawell said, raising his voice. ?You are talking about whether I am in the tank with these guys. I am here because I want to help Andrea. I am here to tell the truth. You know what if some of it helps you guys and some of it hurts, that's reality. I'm not here ? unlike people that sat and testified at my trial that were in the tank, I?m not in the tank with anybody. Let?s be clear on that.?

Fawell is reluctantly testifying against Ryan in the hope his cooperation will keep Andrea Coutretsis, his fiance and former aide, out of prison. Coutretsis pleaded guilty to mail fraud and perjury charges and was instrumental in getting Fawell to flip on his old boss.

Ryan, 71, is on trial with Warner, 67, on charges he steered state contracts to friends such as Warner.