Gov. on dash for cash before law kicks in
TARGETING PAY-TO-PLAY | Said to be in dash for cash before law kicks in
Gov. Blagojevich was on a mad dash for $2.5 million in campaign cash in advance of a new state law that will stop him from taking political donations from state contractors as of Jan. 1, federal prosecutors alleged Tuesday.
And the governor allegedly was asking two of his closest advisers -- lobbyists John Wyma and Alonzo Monk -- for help, according to court documents and sources.
Wyma and Monk are not identified by name in the FBI affidavit accompanying Blagojevich's criminal complaint. But sources said Wyma is "Individual A" and Monk "Lobbyist 1."
Monk, Blagojevich's former chief of staff, is a lobbyist for a horse-racing group controlled by the Johnston family, which owns the Balmoral and Maywood park horse tracks. Monk last month allegedly was seeking a $100,000 contribution for Blagojevich in exchange for signing legislation to give the horse-racing industry a share of revenues from Illinois casinos.
Monk "assured Rod Blagojevich" that somebody associated with the Racing Associations of Illinois "would be good for the donation because [Monk] 'got in his face,' " according to the affidavit.
Children's Memorial Hospital and a highway contractor also were targets.
On Oct. 8, Blagojevich allegedly told Wyma that he wanted a $50,000 contribution from Patrick M. Magoon, chief executive officer of Children's Memorial Hospital, which had recently received a commitment of $8 million in state funds. When the contribution was not forthcoming, Blagojevich discussed rescinding the funding.
"Neither Children's Memorial nor any of its personnel participated in such scheme," Magoon said in a statement.
On Oct. 6, Blagojevich allegedly told Wyma that he expected a person identified as "Highway Contractor 1" to raise $500,000 in contributions and that he was willing to commit additional state money to a $1.8 billion state tollway project.
Authorities said they learned that Blagojevich was seeking the campaign contributions on a list maintained by the governor's campaign committee that was obtained by the FBI. They also alleged Blagojevich had engaged in pay-to-play schemes since he ran for governor in 2002. One of Blagojevich's fund-raisers, convicted political fixer Tony Rezko, has been cooperating in the probe, authorities said.
Wyma and Monk did not return calls for comment.