Blagojevich's close fiend and top aide to testify

By MIKE ROBINSON and MICHAEL TARM Associated Press Writers

CHICAGO (AP) - One of Rod Blagojevich's closest friends is headed to the witness stand in the former Illinois governor's corruption trial.

Testimony is set to begin Wednesday in the trial.

Alonzo "Lon" Monk, Blagojevich's law school roommate and his first chief of staff in the governor's office, is expected to testify. Monk pleaded guilty to wire fraud last year and agreed to be a witness in return for a lenient sentence.

On Tuesday, prosecutors described the impeached governor as awash in debt and grasping for millions of dollars in shakedown money. His defense attorney said he was fooled by members of his corrupt inner circle.

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to profit from his power to fill the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama.