Former Blagojevich adviser Chris Kelly pleads guilty to kickback scheme
He was once the master of Rod Blagojevich’s lucrative campaign fund and the “go-to” guy in the ex-governor’s administration.
Christopher Kelly then publicly distanced himself from the former governor — but even in Blagojevich’s final weeks in office, he privately remained a confidant and friend.
(AP/Sun-Times)
But Kelly’s loyalty has cost him, ultimately bringing the weight of the feds down on him in three indictments.
On Tuesday, Kelly notched his second guilty plea, and with it, the likelihood of spending nearly eight years behind bars. He’s set to surrender early — Sept. 18 — to start serving his time.
Still, Kelly hasn’t cracked.
As he was leaving court, a reporter asked if his plea meant he’s cooperating against the ex-governor.
Saying nothing, Kelly turned and shot a stern look.
Kelly still faces a June trial on racketeering and extortion charges along with Blagojevich.
On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to duping American Airlines and United Airlines in an $8.5 million kickback scheme involving O’Hare Airport and Kelly’s company, BCI Commercial Roofing, Inc.
The plea evades a trial that was supposed to start today. It happened the same day Rod Blagojevich was in New York launching a media blitz to promote his new book, The Governor.
Kelly told the judge he pleaded guilty after enduring “a great deal of pressure.” But, “I’m doing it knowing the ramifications of my actions.”
In the 28-page plea, Kelly admits to a litany of fraud while his roofing company worked as a contractor at O’Hare, including working with an insider to rig bids and fraudulently win contracts. That insider is accused of inflating the budget numbers and, in return, Kelly paid him at least $450,000 in kickbacks, according to the plea.
Kelly admitted he doctored invoices as a way to divert money to pay off personal gambling and other debt, including to repay $700,000 convicted businessman Tony Rezko gave him to buy a home, according to charges.
Rezko has been in jail since his conviction last June. He, too, voluntarily surrendered. Shortly after, he began providing information to the government.
Kelly’s plea deal calls for a an almost five-year sentence following a three-year sentence in a separate tax fraud case.
Kelly volunteered to remain under curfew until he surrenders next week. He’ll also pay the government $450,000.
There was no talk of Kelly cooperating against Blagojevich.
Wearing a blue dress shirt in court, Kelly stood with his hands folded before him, and as Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar read the charges aloud, Kelly looked up at the ceiling or down at the floor.
“Is that what happened and is that what you did?” U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle asked.
“Yes,” Kelly replied.
The plea deal appeared to be put together at the last minute, with Kelly initialing portions of it outside the courtroom minutes earlier.
Neither Kelly, nor his lawyer, Michael Monico, would comment leaving court.
Monico previously remarked about the pressure the feds put on his client, telling the Chicago Sun-Times: “This case shows more than anything, the power of the government.”