Former Blagojevich, Jackson fundraiser arrested

By SOPHIA TAREEN

 

CHICAGO:

 

A former campaign fundraiser for imprisoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded not guilty Wednesday after being arrested on fraud charges related to his outpatient surgery centers.

 

A judge set bond Wednesday for Raghuveer Nayak at $10 million. Nayak has agreed to post six properties in Indiana and Illinois and was released from custody immediately after a brief hearing in federal court.

 

He was accused of paying bribes and kickbacks to physicians for patient referrals and filing false federal income tax returns. FBI agents detained Nayak on Wednesday at his suburban Chicago home.