On tape, Blagojevich and Monk discuss alleged shakedown of racetrack owner

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Prosecutors today played a secret recording of Gov. Rod Blagojevich talking to confidante and fundraiser Alonzo “Lon” Monk about efforts to get a campaign contribution from a horse track owner who wanted Blagojevich to sign legislation helping the horse racing industry.

Monk, testifying after a lunch break, said Blagojevich called him into a private meeting at his campaign office to discuss getting a $100,000 donation before Blagojevich signed the bill. That Dec. 3, 2008 meeting was captured on secret recordings because the FBI had bugged the Friends of Blagojevich headquarters, including Blagojevich’s own office.

Monk could be heard telling Blagojevich he wanted to have a pointed conversation with the track owner, John Johnston, and began to essentially practice what he would say.

"Look, I want to go to him without crossing the line and say give us the (expletive) money," Monk said on the tape. "Give us the money, and one has nothing to do with the other (the bill signing), but give us the (expletive) money."

Some predicted Blago would to try and sell everything he could.