Allegations resurface over Blagojevich donations

Published reports say the Illinois State Police have reopened an investigation into whether a fundraiser illegally pressured a pharmacy owner to donate $25,000 to the campaign fund of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

State Police spokesman Lt. Scott Compton has told Chicago newspapers the matter is now an ongoing investigation.

Chicago pharmacy owner Jatin Patel claims that fundraiser Harish Bhatt encouraged him in 2005 to make a campaign contribution so his pharmacy would be treated fairly in a Medicaid fraud dispute.

An attorney for Bhatt calls the allegations "absolutely false."

Blagojevich campaign spokesman Doug Scofield says such tactics would not have been condoned by the campaign.