Former top aide to governor providing information to prosecutors
John Harris -- the highest-ranking employee under Gov. Blagojevich to be hit with federal corruption charges -- has been providing information to federal prosecutors, the Sun-Times has learned.
Harris' attorney, Terry Ekl, told the Sun-Times the governor's former chief of staff has had "preliminary discussions" with the feds.
(AP)
"There have been preliminary discussions with the U.S. Attorney's office and John Harris," Ekl said. "No decision has been made as to whether John Harris will be a witness for the government or will proceed to trial."
Ekl would not discuss details, but sources say that among the things Harris has discussed is how Blagojevich liked to talk big to his staff, but they didn't always do what he asked them to.
The Sun-Times has also learned that the government tapped cell phones belonging to Harris as well as Gov. Blagojevich's brother.
Sources with knowledge of the investigation of the governor say federal authorities late last year won court authorization to tap the cell phones of Harris and Robert Blagojevich, the governor's brother and campaign fund chairman. Harris was arrested along with the governor Dec. 9 on allegations that the governor conspired to sell the Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.
The Sun-Times reported Wednesday that the feds tapped at least three members of the governor's inner circle, in addition to posting a camera outside the governor's campaign office.
The third phone is that of one-time top aide Lon Monk, which the Sun-Times previously reported was tapped.
Along with the government's Dec. 9 charges came a stinging affidavit laying out dozens of telephone conversations between the governor and others.
The revelation that phones of the governor's chief of staff and brother were also tapped indicate the probe stretched beyond the governor and has the possibility of spurring additional witnesses.
In a filing last month, the government disclosed it had "thousands" of recordings on tape.
Robert Blagojevich took over the governor's campaign fund in August, getting paid about $12,500 a month. His lawyer has said his client didn't engage in wrongdoing but feared the campaign fund would be targeted for indictment.
Harris has pleaded not guilty to the charges.