Former Blago aide pleads not guilty, but that could change

As Alonzo Monk, former chief of staff to indicted former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich told a judge he's not guilty of a related wire fraud charge, a U.S. prosecutor said the ex-aide may soon change his plea.

"We expect to resolve this case with a plea,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Niewoehner told Judge James Zagel at Monk's arraignment today in federal court in Chicago.

Monk, 50, was one of six people indicted with Blagojevich when a grand jury accused the two-term Democrat of 16 corruption counts on April 2. Among them is the charge the former governor tried to trade his right to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama for campaign cash or other favors.

Blagojevich, 52, told Zagel he was innocent at his own arraignment on April 14. Co-prosecutor Reid Schar has said the governor could be sentenced to more than 25 years in prison if convicted.

Monk is the second indicted former Blagojevich chief of staff to enter negotiations with the U.S. Co-defendant John Harris, 47, is also cooperating with the investigation, prosecutors and his attorney have said separately.

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested the governor and Harris on Dec. 9 for allegedly conspiring on the Senate seat appointment. Harris was indicted for wire fraud. He resigned on Dec. 12.

Now a lobbyist, Monk is accused of helping to solicit a campaign contribution from a harness race track operator in advance of Blagojevich's signing of legislation that would divert state casino revenues to the horse-racing industry.

He is due to appear in court again on June 4. Outside court, Monk's lawyer, Michael Shepard, declined to comment.

The case is U.S. v. Blagojevich, 08cr888, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Chicago).