Another Ex-Blagojevich Aide Sentenced, Plus Evidence Blago Was A Bad Boss

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Apr 4, 2012 6:20PM

Another former chief of staff to Rod Blagojevich, Lon Monk, was sentenced yesterday to two years in prison and a $75,000 fine. Defense attorneys said the sentence was too heavy in light of the sentence Blagojevich's other former chief of staff John Harris got — he received just a 10-day sentence, as part of a plea deal in exchange for testifying against Blagojevich. Monk also made a deal with prosecutors to testify against Blagojevich, but unlike Harris, at first he refused to cooperate in the probe. He eventually pleaded guilty to wire fraud and admitted to helping shake down a racetrack owner for a campaign contribution. The Sun-Times writes:

Before working in his administration, Monk knew that Blagojevich exhibited “relentless persistence to get his own way,” [U.S. District Judge James] Zagel said.

The judge also said Monk remained at his post for a long period and then became a Springfield lobbyist who was compensated “exceptionally well.” He made about $1 million in a year as a lobbyist after leaving the administration.

Under those circumstance, Zagel said, Monk’s motive was, “in some significant sense, self-serving.”

In other words, Monk knew Blago was a pain in the ass before he took a job with him. It seems every one knew that Blagojevich wasn't exactly the world's best boss, according to letters obtained by The Sun-Times. A number of former staffers sent letters to Judge Zagel to defend Harris's character, and they revealed some telling details about the disgraced governor's management techniques. The Sun-Times writes:

Blagojevich’s last chief of staff, Clayton Harris III (no relation), said John Harris was “caught between his superior and chaos.” He told Zagel about “an episode where I was directed to fire the entire legal department because they lacked the professionalism that the governor believed should have been exhibited.” He said Blagojevich ordered him to hire an unemployed lawyer “he met in line at Starbucks to be chief legal counsel of the state of Illinois!”

A former Daley chief of staff said “the negative characteristics of the [Blagojevich] administration were the result of personal qualities of the governor that no chief of staff or other staff person could alter.” One of Blagojevich's former executive assistants said he was “very difficult to work with and for” and “basically would wear a person down.” Harsh. Well if you hate your boss today, just remind yourself to be glad he's not Blago.