The former chief of staff for indicted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, John Harris, made clear during a brief appearance today before U.S. District Judge James Zagel, that he intends to plead guilty in what is expected to be a cooperation deal which could yield devestating evidence against his former boss.
Harris was accused of aiding the former governor in what prosecutors have described as multiple acts of mail and wire fraud, extortion, attempted extortion, extortion conspiracy, and state bribery. On the day of his indictment, the United States Attorney's Office said it was "authorized to disclose, that (Harris) had agreed to cooperate with the United States ... in the prosecution."
His lawyer, Terry Ekl, said today that while some details remain to be worked out, he expects a plea and cooperation agreement to be finalized in time for Harris to plead guilty to the charges July 8.
The charges alleged that Harris played a role in efforts to find a paid state position for Blagojevich's wife Patti, after it became clear that her real estate business had become the target of intense media coverage and possible federal investigation.
Harris was also alleged to have been involved in possible negotiations to get Blagojevich appointed to a highly paid union position. He is also alleged to have played a role in negotiations over the ex-governor's alleged attempts to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama.
Elsewhere in the case today, lawyers representing various media outlets appeared before Zagel, pressing their case for release of various undercover recordings and other documents which currently are under court seal.
Government lawyers have indicated they might agree to the release of certain documents in redacted form, but are opposing the release of others on grounds of confidentiality and the need to protect investigative procedures.
The media outlets had argued that even Blagojevich himself had advocated release of the recordings, but Zagel said the former governor had made no such statements in court, and that he couldn't speak for others who might appear on the tapes. He continued the case to next month.
