Another Former Aide To Testify Against Rod Blagojevich

Rod Blagojevich's former chief of staff and campaign manager will testify against his old boss in the upcoming corruption trial. As part of a plea deal, Alonzo Monk agreed Tuesday to take the stand against the former Illinois governor in exchange for a reduced sentence of 24 months in federal prison, according to the Wall Street Journal. Monk pleaded guilty to mail fraud after admitting that he tried to trade campaign contributions from a horse track owner for legislation that would favor the horse racing industry.

Monk, 51, has been part of the former governor's inner circle since the two roomed together in law school. He's the second former aide to turn on Blagojevich. Last summer, John Harris, who succeeded Monk as chief of staff, struck a similar plea deal after admitting to wire fraud. In exchange for a reduced sentence, he agreed to testify how Blagojevich allegedly tried to sell the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.

Blagojevich was indicted in April on 16 counts of corruption. His trial is expected to begin in June.

On Monday, the federal judge in the case OK'd Blagojevich to appear on the NBC reality show "Celebrity Apprentice." Blagojevich said he was appearing on the show to raise money for his defense.

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