Governor Taped

Live by the fix, die by the fix. The Feds have Blagojevich on tape, as one of his "trusted" advisers turns. Tribune:

The cooperation of John Wyma, 42, one of the state's most influential lobbyists, is the most stunning evidence yet that Blagojevich's once-tight inner circle appears to be collapsing under the pressure of myriad pay-to-play inquiries.

Wyma, Blagojevich's chief of staff when he was in Congress, has long been one of the few advisers trusted by Blagojevich and kept in the loop on matters of policy and politics. As the federal probe intensified, Wyma met privately with the governor and his former chief of staff at the governor's campaign headquarters on the North Side for 90 minutes on Oct. 22.

No word yet from the governor:

The governor, a Democrat contemplating seeking a third term in 2010, has not been charged with any wrongdoing and has denied involvement in any illegal schemes. He repeatedly has said, "The truth shall set you free" in answers to reporters on every new development in the investigation. But the news of the expanding probe has crippled Blagojevich's approval ratings, which sank to an all-time low of 13 percent in a recent Tribune poll.

Wyma's name has surfaced repeatedly in many aspects of the federal investigation, including allegations of pay-to-play contracts, fundraising and even the investigation of the real estate business of First Lady Patricia Blagojevich.

It's gonna be a blue Christmas for Blago.

Then there's the Rezko part:

During Rezko's trial, which resulted in his conviction in June, Blagojevich's name popped up repeatedly as being at the center of some of the schemes to trade state favors for campaign contributions.

Among the most explicit allegations, former Illinois Finance Authority Executive Director Ali Ata testified that he attended a meeting at Rezko's offices with Rezko and the governor before he was hired. At the meeting, Ata said, he brought a $25,000 check that was placed on the table in front of Blagojevich, who then mentioned a state job.

Tony holding out for a pardon from President Barack Obama:

In recent months, Rezko and his attorneys have been in talks with federal prosecutors about a cooperation deal. But this week Rezko received a January court date for his sentencing, an indication there is no deal.

It's going to be a long 4 years.