New reporting from Illinois Playbook reveals that DC insider Michael Whatley cozied up to convicted felon Rod Blagojevich for campaign cash at a Chicago fundraiser. 

Blagojevich, who spent eight years in federal prison for corruption, attempted “to illegally trade” a United States Senate seat in exchange for $1.5 million in campaign cash and other benefits, along with shaking down a children’s hospital for campaign cash. Currently, Blagojevich is lobbying for a key Putin ally.

Illinois Playbook: “Michael Whatley, the former chair of the Republican National Committee and the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, was in Chicago on Thursday to raise funds for his hotly contested campaign. […] Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and a group of fellow, self-described “Trump-ocrats” were there, too, Blagojevich then co-hosted a dinner party at the O’Hare Hilton along with entrepreneur Ranko Ristic.”

“DC insider and Big Oil lobbyist Michael Whatley has proven time and time again that the only thing he cares about is enriching himself,” said Mallory Payne, senior communications advisor for the North Carolina Democratic Party. “From pushing for policies that benefit his bottom line, to elevating a convicted child sex offender, to fundraising with a convicted felon, it is clear that Whatley only looks out for himself and his political allies, not North Carolina families.”