Blagojevich aide pleads guilty

CHICAGO, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A close friend of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has agreed to help investigators in a corruption case against the former governor, prosecutors said.

Alonzo "Lon" Monk, Blagojevich's former campaign manager and chief of staff, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one charge of participating in a scheme to commit wire fraud. In return for Monk's cooperation, prosecutors are recommending a sentence of two years in prison.

Monk's plea agreement alleges Blagojevich, Monk, convicted businessman Tony Rezko and the late Christopher Kelly discussed ways to profit from public corruption even before Blagojevich became governor, the Chicago Tribune said.

Monk, 51, of Decatur, Ill., alleges Rezko typically led the discussions and admitted in court Tuesday to receiving about nine payments of $10,000.

John Harris, another former Blagojevich chief of staff, previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the former governor. The Chicago Tribune said Rezko is also expected to testify in the case. Kelly died in an apparent suicide this fall.