Key Blagojevich Probe Figure Dead

A key figure in the federal corruption probe into former Governor Rod Blagojevich is dead, reports the Chicago Tribune. A body identified as Christopher Kelly was brought into the morgue, the examiner's office said, and hospital officials say he died of salicylate intoxication. Salicylate is used in over-the-counter pain medications, and police are treating the investigation as a possible homicide or suicide. Kelly was a former top fundraiser for Blagojevich and was indicted alongside the governor in April. Kelly, who owns a roofing business, pleaded guilty Tuesday to mail fraud in a surprise move a day before his scheduled trial. Kelly said he was under pressure to cooperate in the federal investigation, but that he refused. He faced five years of prison on top of three more years for tax offenses.