Fundraiser emerges as key event in Illinois probe

[babsbunny]

http://portal.wowway.net/news/read.php?ps=1018&rip_id=%3CD951HCKG2%40news.ap.org%3E&_LT=HOME_LARSDCCLM_UNEWS

Friday, December 12, 2008 8:52 PM EST
The Associated Press
By ADAM GOLDMAN and RICHARD T. PIENCIAK Associated Press Writers


CHICAGO (AP) — A fundraiser held by Indian-American businessmen three days before Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges emerged Friday as a potentially key event in the federal investigation into whether he tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.

Questions are being raised about last Saturday's event for Blagojevich because Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s brother, Jonathan, was among those attending. The Indian community has a long history of supporting the Jackson family's political aspirations, and the congressman has been clear about his interest in succeeding Obama.