Judge ends ex-Blagojevich aide's probation early

Rod Blagojevich's ex-chief of staff is free and clear of the justice system after a federal judge in Chicago ended his two-year probation period early.

An order posted Thursday grants John Harris' request to cut short the oversight requiring contact with a probation officer and permission to travel out of state.

The 51-year-old helped convict former Gov. Blagojevich of trying to sell President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat and other charges. Blagojevich is serving a 14-year term.

Thanks to his extensive cooperation, Harris was sentenced last year to just 10 days in jail and two years' probation for bribery conspiracy.

Harris' motion said he's excelled as a power-line electrician but that probation complicated his need to travel to storm-damaged regions. It also says he's an assistant Boy Scout master.