Blagojevich Busted

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Three associates of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges in the same federal corruption case that snagged the former governor.

As CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, Christopher Kelly, William Cellini and John Harris all appeared before U.S. Distirct Judge James B. Zagel Thursday morning at the Dirksen Federal Building. They were all named on the 19-count indictment, alleging that they engaged in corruption with Blagojevich.

All three defendants entered pleas of not guilty.

Harris, 47, of Chicago, was Blagojevich's chief of staff from late 2005 until Dec. 6 of last year, after he was arrested along with Blagojevich. He is accused of accused of scheming with Blagojevich to sell or trade President Obama's Senate seat.  

Through his attorney, Harris, who is charged with a single count of wire fraud, has agreed to cooperate with the prosecution of the case. His attorney told Zagel they hope to have an agreement on a change of plea before the end of May.

Kelly, 50, of Burr Ridge, is a businessman and a principal campaign fundraiser who also served as chairman of Blagojevich's campaign fund from early 2004 until August 2005. The indictment in the case alleges that with Blagojevich's knowledge and permission, Kelly at times exercised substantial influence over certain activities of the governor's office. 

Kelly pleaded guilty earlier this year to using funds from his roofing business to pay off gambling debts, and is said to be cooperating with prosecutors.

Cellini, Sr., 74, of Springfield, is a businessman who also raised significant funds for Blagojevich, in part through his role as the executive director of the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association. Cellini has been one of the seldom seen or quoted heavyweights of Illinois politics going back to the 1960s.

In the Blagojevich case, Cellini is accused of telling Hollywood producer Thomas Rosenberg that Rosenberg's own Capri Capital asset management firm hadn't gotten a $220 million allotment from a teachers pension fund because he hadn't made a hefty contribution to Blagojevich.

It was allegedly part of a plot to squeeze Rosenberg for campaign money. But Blagojevich fundraiser Tony Rezko was acquitted of taking part in such a plot last year, although he was convicted of other corruption charges. 

At the hearing Thursday, Cellini's attorney, former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb, said he believed it was unfair that Cellini was indicted as part of the Blagojevich case, and that Cellini did not want to be tried next to Blagojevich.

"Joining Mr. Cellini in this Governor Blagojevich allegations of corruption is a gross travesty of justice," Webb said. "Mr. Cellini is alleged to only be involved in one simple transaction called the Capri transaction, and that transaction had nothing to do with Governor Blagojevich."

Key Blagojevich deputy Alonzo Monk is to be arraigned on April 23.

Zagel said at the hearing Thursday that the Blagojevich trial will take six months, and likely will not begin for two years.

This past Tuesday, there was a mad scene at the Dirksen building after Blagojevich entered his plea of not guilty. He appeared before Judge Zagel with his brother, Robert, who is also a defendant in the case and who also pleaded not guilty.

Rod Blagojevich repeated his claims of innocence before reporters, and stopped the free-for-all to ask one of the reporters on the scene to take a picture of him.

It was also revealed on Tuesday that Blagojevich has also signed on to be part of the NBC "Survivor"-style reality show "I'm a Celebrity… Get Me out of Here," which is scheduled to be filmed in Costa Rica. An NBC representative told CBS 2 that contestants in the case "will be dropped into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle to face challenges designed to test their skills in adapting to the wilderness and to raise money for their favorite charities."

Among the others on the show is Nancy Kerrigan, of ice-skating / knee-thrashing fame. Blagojevich will need permission from Judge Zagel to participate, since he surrendered his passport to the court.

As for Blagojevich's criminal case, prosecutors have hinted that the investigation could widen and ensnare other people.

CBS 2's Joanie Lum, Ed Marshall, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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