Racetrack owner says donation pressure angered him
CHICAGO, IL
John Johnston testified at Blagojevich's corruption trial that
he felt uncomfortable talking about fundraising with members of the
governor's inner circle and often tried to change the subject when
they brought it up.
But he said the lobbyist, Alonzo Monk, made it clear in a
conversation on Dec. 3, 2008, that the governor would sign the bill
as soon as Johnston had made the contribution. Blagojevich was
arrested six days later, and the contribution was never made.
Blagojevich signed the bill a week after his arrest.
Johnston quoted Monk as saying in late 2008: "I spoke to the
governor and he's concerned that if he signs the racing
legislation, you might not be forthcoming with a contribution."
Johnston testified that he "responded negatively -- I got
agitated, animated ... I shut the conversation down." He said Monk
was supposed to be working on his behalf -- and was being paid
$150,000 a year by Johnston -- and he was angry Monk was pressing
him for a contribution.
But he testified, "I would imagine, if I made a contribution,
they'd cash the check and he'd sign the bill."
Johnston appeared relaxed and spoke calmly on the stand, even
joking at times.
Monk, who was Blagojevich's former chief of staff, testified
last week that Blagojevich withheld signing the bill as a way to
pressure Johnston for the contribution, as the governor allegedly
tried to raise as much money as possible before a new campaign
ethics law kicked in Jan. 1.
Monk has pleaded guilty to plotting to pressure Johnston for
campaign money and testified in hopes getting a lighter sentence.
Blagojevich, 53, has pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell or
trade the U.S. Senate seat President Barack Obama gave up following
his November 2008 election. He has also pleaded not guilty to
plotting to launch a racketeering scheme using the powers of the
governor's office.
Under cross-examination, defense attorney Sam Adam Sr. zeroed in
Johnston's testimony where Monk quotes Blagojevich. Adam, asking
questions in a gruff, gravelly voice and sometimes moving around
the courtroom, suggested that Monk could have been lying.
"The governor never said that to you, ever, did he?" asked
Adam.
"No," Johnston responded.
Later, Adam asked if "the only person to put any pressure at
all on you (about a contribution) was your own lobbyist?"
Johnston said, "That's correct ... my own lobbyist."
If convicted, Blagojevich could face up to $6 million in fines
and a sentence of 415 years in prison, although he is certain to
get much less under federal guidelines.
His brother, Nashville, Tenn., businessman Robert Blagojevich,
54, has pleaded not guilty to taking part in the alleged scheme to
sell the Senate seat and to plotting to illegally pressure Johnston
for the $100,000 campaign contribution.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV-06-21-10 1254CDT
