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Reporting from Chicago — A key figure in Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich’s alleged scheme to sell a U.S. Senate seat has sought immunity from federal authorities in return for his cooperation.
Businessman and political fundraiser Raghuveer P. Nayak is Individual D in the federal complaint, sources said. Individual D was being squeezed by the governor for campaign cash, according to prosecutors, in order to appoint Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) to the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
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A 54-year-old millionaire who made his fortune in medical businesses, he was little-known outside Chicago’s close-knit Indian community
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Federal and state election reports show that Nayak, his wife and his businesses for the last decade have donated more than $779,000 and raised hundreds of thousands more for candidates ranging from the Cook County circuit court clerk to Obama.
He has contributed primarily to Democrats but also to Republicans.