Figure in hospital scandal loses law license

MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court has revoked the law license of a former investment banker and aide to Gov. Tommy Thompson who was convicted of corruption in Illinois.

P. Nicholas Hurtgen of Glencoe is a key figure in the federal investigation surrounding former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

He pleaded guilty to charges in February after he was accused of threatening to deny permission for a hospital expansion if a contractor favored by Blagojevich wasn't hired. Hurtgen is cooperating with the investigation in return for a lighter sentence.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court says Hurtgen was not acting as an attorney in the pay-to-play scheme, but his actions violated the public trust. Hurtgen did not oppose the petition by regulators to revoke his license.