Christopher Kelly, A Key Blago Player Dies of Apparent 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 corruption charges in December and removed from the post of Illinois governor. Christopher Kelly was also under indictment in Blagojevich case.

It was just on September eight that Christopher Kelly pleaded guilty to federal charges. This was the second time he did so this year.

"In a surprise move just a day before his scheduled trial, Kelly, owner of a roofing business, pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud as part of a kickback scheme to illegally obtain $8.5 million in work at O'Hare International Airport. The last-minute deal with prosecutors would appear to ratchet up the pressure on Kelly, 51, to testify against Blagojevich, but his written plea agreement made no mention of any such cooperation," writes Chicago Tribune.

With his deal with the authorities Chris Kelly agreed to forfeit $450,000, the amount he pocketed.

Chicago Sun-Times writes that Kelly died of an apparent Aspirin overdose. "Kelly was found at 7:01 a.m. by his family, according to a report given to the Cook County Medical Examiner. He was pronounced dead at 10:46 a.m., sources said. Kelly died of an apparent "aspirin overdose," a law enforcement source said.

Written by Armen Hareyan