Reporting with Natasha Korecki and Dave McKinney
As its final witness, the defense called Jonathan Rouske, a special agent with the FBI, to the stand to testify about an interview with roadway-building executive Gerald Krozel.
Rouske confirmed Krozel told the FBI on the morning of Dec. 9 that he "never felt the tollway bill depended on his fundraising efforts." The prosecution declined to ask Rouske any questions; the trial is currently on a short break and the defense is expected to rest afterward.
Earlier in the trial during the prosecution's case, Krozel testified he was lying to the FBI that morning. He said he was scared for his wife, who was suffering from an undiagnosed neurological disorder. She couldn't talk or walk and was helpless without him, he said. After agents showed up at his house 15 minutes after arresting then-governor Rod Blagojevich, Krozel said he was sure they were going to arrest him, too.
"I thought they were coming to take me away," Krozel said, looking emotional and misty-eyed after describing his wife's condition.
He said he lied to the FBI that morning and told agents he hadn't felt pressure to donate to Blagojevich in exchange for the governor passing a $6 billion tollway bill.
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