The prosecution of corruption in the administration of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is winding down as attorneys are expected to give their closing arguments Tuesday in the trial of William Cellini.
Cellini is the last Blagojevich co-defendant to go on trial and, in fact, his will likely be the last trial arising from the long-running investigation known as “Operation Board Games.” Federal prosecutors netted convictions and plea deals from a long list of political insiders whose names are now well known, such as Tony Rezko and Stuart Levine. Blagojevich’s brother, Robert, also went on trial, though the jury was split on Robert’s guilt. Prosecutors subsequently dropped the charges.
Cellini is a Republican businessman who used his deep political contacts to get state business. The charges against him arose from conversations he had with Stuart Levine in 2004. Federal authorities were secretly recording Levine’s phones because he was suspected of giving out state contracts to companies who gave Blagojevich campaign contributions. Cellini is charged with trying to help Levine in one of those campaign kickback schemes.
Listen to Cellini muse about a possible investigation into Blagojevich’s administration.
Listen to Cellini explain what to do if the feds start investigating.
