Key Blagojevich figure seeks deal

CHICAGO, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A key player in the corruption scandal surrounding Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is seeking immunity for his cooperation in the investigation, officials said.

Area businessman and fundraiser Raghuveer P. Nayak was identified as "Individual D" in a federal complaint filed nearly two weeks ago in which Blagojevich was accused of, among other things, trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.

In the complaint, Individual D reportedly was being pressured by Blagojevich for campaign cash to appoint U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., to the vacant seat.

Nayak hasn't been accused of wrongdoing. Federal investigators went to his house in a Chicago suburb the day Blagojevich was arrested. He has sought immunity from federal authorities for his cooperation, sources told the Tribune.

Nayak offered no comment, the Times reported.

Nayak hosted an event in October, news reports said, where discussions of raising $1 million for Blagojevich to help persuade him to select Jackson took place.

Jackson acknowledges telling Nayak about wanting the Senate seat, but said he was unaware of a fundraising effort to support his bid.

His attorney, James Montgomery Sr., said Nayak was "trying to save his own skin" if an agreement with prosecutors were reached and "that cooperation relates to my client."