Former top Blagojevich aide pleads guilty

CHICAGO, July 9 (UPI) -- John Harris, who was ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's chief of staff, pleaded guilty to federal charges Wednesday and will testify against his ex-boss.

Harris admitted to wire fraud and that he discussed having Blagojevich appoint an adviser to President Barack Obama to the U.S. Senate in exchange for financial benefits for the then-governor.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported federal prosecutors will recommend Harris be sent to prison for 35 months. U.S. District Judge James Zagel will determine his sentence at a later date.

In a previously unknown twist to the Blagojevich scandal, the Sun-Times said Harris's plea deal reveals the ex-governor allegedly wanted Harris to tell former state Senate President Emil Jones to turn over his campaign funds to Blagojevich in exchange for being appointed to the U.S. Senate seat left open by Obama's election to the presidency.

Harris didn't follow through on that command, the court papers said, and Jones told the Sun-Times Wednesday he had no knowledge of such a proposal.

Blagojevich is fighting various corruption charges related to allegations he sought to profit from Obama's Senate seat vacancy and that he tried to extort campaign money from a children's hospital executive.