John Johnston, owner of Illinois racetracks Maywood and Balmoral Park, testified in Chicago yesterday in the corruption trial of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich

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Johnston, who allegedly had been asked for but refused to pay $100,000 to Blagojevich for passage of a bill that would benefit racing, was questioned about a statement he said was made by Alonzo 'Lon' Monk, a former Balmoral lobbyist and chief of staff to the governor, in a conversation on Dec. 3, 2008.

Johnston said Monk told him, “I spoke to the governor and he’s concerned that if he signs the racing legislation you might not be forthcoming with a contribution.”

Johnston said he responded negatively and angrily. “I got agitated, animated...I shut the conversation down.” He said he understood the conversation to mean that if he paid “they’d cash the cheque and sign the bill.”

Johnston was asked in cross examination by attorney Sam Adams, Jr. if Monk, Johnston’s former lobbyist, was the only person to put any pressure on him. He answered, “That’s correct...my own lobbyist.”

(Harness Tracks of America)

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