Christopher Kelly, 51, a former confidant and top fundraiser for former Illinois Gov Rod Blagojevich, is dead. He was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at 10:46 AM. Reports are that Kelly appeared to have died of salicylate intoxication.Salicylates are used in anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications. Aspirin's active ingredient is the chemically similar, though not identical acetylsalicylic acid.
Christopher Kelly was found in a lumber yard near 173rd Street and Cicero Avenue in Country Club Hills late Friday. He arrived at Oak Forest Hospital at 11:15 PM, was stabilized there, and later transferred to Stroger for further treatment. Kelly arrived at Stroger at 5:15 AM.
Rod Blagojevich has been accused of using his office to leverage campaign donations and benefits for himself and his family, as well as for attempting to "sell" Barack Obama's seat in the Senate once Obama was elected President. Christopher Kelly was indicted along with Blagojevich in April.
Earlier this week, Christoper Kelly pleaded guilty in a separate federal case. On Tuesday, just a day before his scheduled trial, Kelly, who is owner of a roofing business, pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud as part of a kickback scheme to obtain work worth $8.5 million at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
Police are treating the case as a homicide investigation because of its high profile. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.
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