The marquee event in a federal investigation into Rod Blagojevich's governorship, Blagojevich's own trial, is over — but the legal saga that stretches back nearly a decade isn't quite at an end.Will Tony Rezko appear at this trial as a witness?
The last big trial in the case is that of businessman William Cellini, a Springfield Republican dubbed "The Pope" of Illinois politics for his influence in the halls of state power dating back to the 1960s.
"He might well make a list of the top 20 players in Illinois politics in recent decades," said Paul Green, who teaches politics at Chicago's Roosevelt University.
Cellini's trial on charges he plotted to shake down a Hollywood movie producer for $1.5 million in campaign cash for Blagojevich is scheduled to start in October. Cellini, 76, has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Dan Webb, has said they are ready to fight the charges at trial.
Monday, July 04, 2011
Blagojevich: the legal drama will continue
Carmi Times reports: