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A federal judge tossed charges against a New York man accused in the Capitol riot — the first out of hundreds of cases to fall apart due to lack of evidence.Prosecutors wrote to the Washington, DC, judge on Tuesday asking to drop charges against Christopher Kelly, a New York City resident who was captured in a viral photo near the US Capitol, shirtless and holding an American flag, according to court documents.Kelly was busted in January after the FBI said it obtained information from a paid informant that showed he had taken a photo from inside the Capitol building during...

The name of President Obama came into play this afternoon at the political corruption trial of former governor Rod Blagojevich as an associate of political fund-raiser Tony Rezko testified that Rezko asked him to write a $10,000 check to Friends of Obama. The Chicago Sun-Times reported in January 2008 that Glenview businessman Joseph Aramanda, who is testifying today, made the donation as part of a scheme orchestrated by Rezko. Aramanda gave $10,000 in campaign cash to Obama’s U.S. Senate campaign on March 5, 2004, according to records. The money came from part of a finder’s fee Aramanda received, but did...

A little more than six weeks before former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is to stand trial on corruption charges in federal court, prosecutors on Monday sought to put limits on the kinds of arguments his defense team can make once the proceedings get under way. The government asked U.S. District Judge James Zagel to keep Blagojevich's lawyers from mentioning the suicide of one-time Blagojevich adviser Christopher Kelly or their desire to play at the trial all of the tapes that were secretly made of the former governor's conversations in fall 2008. But one of Blagojevich's lawyers, Sam Adam Jr., said the...

"Rod and Patti Blagojevich have long claimed they dipped into their own checking account to pay for personal home renovations set up by a company of convicted businessman Tony Rezko. But a newly released, 91-page filing from federal prosecutors alleges that Rezko secretly funneled tens of thousands of dollars to the former first couple by setting up a sham $40,000 real estate commission for Patti Blagojevich. Prosecutors say the money was then used to pay for work on the Ravenswood Manor home. The company overseeing the work on the home was a Rezko company, Chicago Construction Services."

As Christopher Kelly was being treated for a fatal overdose, the political fundraiser who was being pressured to testify against ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich confided to his girlfriend to "tell them they won." "It's my life," Kelly told Clarissa Flores-Buhelos, according to a police report released today to the Tribune. "Tell them they won, tell them they won." The report does not specify to whom Kelly was referring. It was one of several new details contained in the 47-page police report released by Country Club Hills, where Kelly took numerous pills before his Sept. 12 death that authorities have ruled a...

We're all learning more details about the apparent suicide of politically connected contractor Christopher Kelly. He pleaded guilty to corruption charges, was facing years in federal prison and had the option of telling federal authorities about city airport contracts and his buddy, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. But today, readers get their writes on Kelly, a self-inflicted victim of corruption the Chicago Way. John, I have known Chris since early days in Champaign, during college, and thereafter. Chris drank in college (like most college students) but has been a strict non-drinker for at least a decade, perhaps two. Chris would rather...

There are plenty of questions surrounding the death of Christopher Kelly, the one-time confidante of Rod Blagojevich who was headed off to prison soon. Questions about what drugs Kelly took. Questions about the "mystery man" with gray hair who tried to pick up Kelly's Cadillac SUV from the hospital. Questions about whether the pressure to cooperate with federal authorities or the prospect of a long stretch in prison, drove him to suicide. Questions about how his death will impact the prosecution of Blagojevich. There's something else that deserves real scrutiny: What kind of medical care did Kelly get at Oak...

Request followed shouting match at Milwaukee Ave. club ### Just days before he died of an apparent overdose, a defiant Christopher Kelly was resolved to fight a corruption trial he faced, if only to thumb his nose at federal authorities. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's fund-raiser and adviser suddenly flip-flopped, however, after faced with another point of pressure. On the eve of trial, the government asked a judge to revoke Kelly's bond, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned. Hospital tapes from over the weekend are "very helpful and revealing" in their attempts to unravel the final hours before Christopher Kelly's death, Country...

Country Club Hills mayor Dwight Welch said today that the girlfriend of Christopher Kelly has "lawyered up" and is no longer talking to police investigating the Saturday death of the former top Rod Blagojevich adviser. Meanwhile, the Cook County medical examiner's office said this afternoon following an autopsy that a determination of cause and manner of Kelly's death was "pending further studies," meaning officials need to conduct additional investigations to officially rule whether Kelly committed suicide. At a morning press conference, Welch also said police are searching for a man who went to Oak Forest Hospital while Kelly was being...

Police are investigating the death of the former chief fundraiser for ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich as a "death-suicide," an Illinois mayor said Sunday. Christopher Kelly, 51, was former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's chief fundraiser. Financier Christopher Kelly told police shortly before he died Saturday that he took an "overdose of drugs," said Dwight Welch, mayor of Country Club Hills, Illinois. Country Club Hills police found several drugs in Kelly's black 2007 Cadillac Escalade, but they were not sure yet whether they were prescribed, Welch said. Country Club Hills is about 27 miles south of Chicago. Kelly had recently undergone surgery...

former chief fundraiser for ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Christopher Kelly has died today at the age of 51. No details are available yet, but Chicago Times writes that apparently the death was caused by an Aspirin overdose. Rod Blagojevich, who is in NY and not available for comments, released a statement about the death of Christopher Kelly and wrote the following. "I am deeply saddened to hear that Chris has died. My heart goes out to his wife Carmen, his three daughters Grace, Jacqueline and Claire and his entire family. They are in our prayers." Blagojevich was arrested on federal...

Once again we're reminded that political corruption has a cost and that the Chicago Way is not some game or performance art by jesters. On Saturday, we were reminded by Christopher Kelly, friend to politicians. He was pronounced dead after taking an overdose of medication, just days after he pleaded guilty to more federal corruption charges. It happens every so often, that we're reminded. * * * But it is in our nature to forget, because the dead aren't active and our politicians are awfully busy. Their mouthpieces will tell us, as they've told us in the past, that a...

Kelly’s death comes just four days after he pleaded guilty to a scheme involving $8.5 million in fraud at O’Hare Airport. It was the second conviction this year -- he still faced trial along with the ex-governor, in June. Kelly had been indicted three times since 2007 but refused to become a cooperating witness. When he pleaded guilty to the O’Hare scheme Tuesday, Kelly spoke of feeling intense pressure by prosecutors to abandon his loyalty to Blagojevich and cooperate with the feds. Chicago police are investigating Kelly’s death. A source familiar with the investigation told the Chicago

A former chief fundraiser for ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich died Saturday, just days before he was to report to prison to begin a three-year sentence for tax offenses that included using his company's money to pay gambling debts and claiming it as a business expense.Kelly, a suburban roofing contractor and Blagojevich's longtime fundraiser, was charged along with the former governor in an indictment alleging Blagojevich sought to sell or trade President Barack Obama's former seat in the U.S. Senate.

A key figure in ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's federal corruption case died Saturday of an apparent "aspirin overdose," a law enforcement source told the Chicago Sun-Times. Christopher Kelly, 51, was Blagojevich's former chief fundraiser, and was described by the newspaper as "go-to" guy in the ex-governor's administration.

Christopher Kelly, a key figure in the federal corruption probe into former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, is dead. The Cook County medical examiner’s office today confirmed that Christopher Kelly of Burr Ridge was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at 10:46 a.m. The office said Kelly died of salicylate intoxication. According to medical reference guides, salicylates are used in anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday. *snip* Kelly is a former confidant and top fundraiser for Blagojevich, who was accused of using his office to leverage campaign donations and benefits for himself and his family. *snip* Kelly’s attorney,...

Two sources with knowledge of the situation told the Tribune today they have been notified that Christopher Kelly, a key figure in the federal corruption probe into former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, is dead. The Cook County medical examiner’s office today confirmed that a body identified as Christopher Kelly was brought to the morgue from Stroger Hospital. The office would not provide any details, including his age, address and manner of death, because the family had not yet arrived at the office. Kelly’s attorney, Michael Monico, declined to comment today when reached by a Tribune reporter. Kelly is a former confidant...

Two sources with knowledge of the situation told the Tribune today they have been notified that Christopher Kelly, a key figure into the federal corruption probe into former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, is dead.

Impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich's former chief fundraiser pleaded guilty Friday to obstructing federal tax collectors by using corporate funds and money from third parties to pay thousands of dollars in gambling debts and personal expenses. Christopher G. Kelly, 50, a south suburban roofer who formerly headed the Friends of Rod Blagojevich campaign fund, also pleaded guilty to structuring financial transactions to hide them from the federal government. In his 27-page plea agreement, Kelly admitted underreporting five years of income received by two businesses by a total of $496,358.

Another card may have fallen in the governor's house of cards. Christopher Kelly - one of Gov. Blagojevich's closest advisers, fund-raisers and friends - is set to plead guilty in his federal criminal case, according to a court filing. Kelly was charged last year with failing to report gambling proceeds. He was not charged with conduct related to state deals but is widely known to be under scrutiny for fund-raising schemes under Blagojevich. Court records show Kelly is scheduled to plead guilty Jan. 16. Kelly is pleading guilty only to the tax charges, according to a source who said the...