The Chicago Tribune reports that "individual D" is spilling his guts to prosecutors. Now identified by the Trib as medical serrvices entrepreneur/fundraiser Raghuveer P. Nayak, the witness is purportedly saying that he was pressured to raise money for Jesse Jackson, Jr. as the next senator.
The Tribune has reported that Nayak hosted an Oct. 31 luncheon where he discussed raising $1 million for Blagojevich to help persuade the governor to choose Jackson. The congressman's brother Jonathan appeared at a Nayak-sponsored fundraiser for the governor three days before Blagojevich was arrested.
The congressman has acknowledged speaking with Nayak about his desire for the Senate seat but said he did not endorse and was not aware of a fundraising effort to support his bid.
On Sunday evening, Jackson's lawyer, James Montgomery Sr., reacted to the news of Nayak's bid for immunity by saying, "If that is indeed the case, and if that cooperation relates to my client, then [Nayak] is trying to save his own skin. That's all I have to say."
Attempts to reach the congressman were unsuccessful Sunday.
Now that the word is out that at least one deal has already been cut, those higher up on the political food chain are more likely to believe that the time for their own bargain is here. The classic pattern of corruption investigations is that little fish cut a deal for themselves by implicating bigger fish. And in the cesspool of Illinois politics, the fishing can be mighty good, and the catch grotesque.
Merry Fitzmas to all.
Hat tip: Lucianne.com
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