Blagojevich attending funeral for former fundraiser, who died of suspected overdose

Blagojevich attending funeral for former aide

WESTERN SPRINGS, Ill. — Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is attending the funeral for his former chief fundraiser, who authorities say died of a suspected overdose.

Blagojevich arrived at the funeral for 51-year-old Christopher Kelly on Wednesday with his wife and one of his daughters. He didn’t speak to reporters as he walked into the suburban Chicago church.

Earlier, pallbearers had taken Kelly’s casket from a hearse parked at the curb into the church.

Kelly died Saturday, less than a week before he was due to enter prison to begin serving a three-year sentence for tax fraud.

Blagojevich is due to go on trial on corruption charges in June. He is accused of trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat. Blagojevich denies any wrongdoing.