Amid increasing evidence that political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko is cooperating with federal prosecutors, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich called on the convicted influence-peddler and shakedown artist to simply, “tell the truth.” Already, the federal prosecutors have strongly hinted that Rezko, convicted in a state corruption scandal, might be cooperating in their investigation.

Rezko was convicted in June of launching a $7 million scheme to use his clout within Blagojevich's administration to squeeze kickbacks out of a contractor and money management firms wanting to do business with the state. His trial exposed a corrupt culture of payoffs and campaign finance abuses plaguing Illinois politics.

According to court records, federal prosecutors moved Monday to indefinitely delay Rezko’s sentencing, which had been set for later this month, so prosecutors and defense attorneys can “engage in discussions that could affect their sentencing postures.”

Though the Democratic governor has not been charged with a crime, he has suffered political damage due to the allegations of wrongdoing within his administration. Talking to reporters at Chicago State University, Governor Blagojevich said: “Rezko, like everybody else, should tell the truth.” Asked if he would resign if indicted, Blagojevich said, “I’m not going to answer dumb questions like that.”

The governor also talked about the U.S. Attorney’s investigation into allegations of “pay-to-play” in his administration, while one of his former high ranking aides told CBS station WBBM-TV, “It appears the “G” [meaning the government] is closing in” on Blagojevich.

Saying that said Rezko already has put him in the clear, the Governor referred to a letter to a federal judge, in which Rezko denied being party to any wrongdoing involving Blagojevich or the Democratic presidential candidate. However, at the same time, Blagojevich refused to say whether he was worried about his future now that Rezko, a key fundraiser for himself and Sen. Barack Obama, may be talking to authorities.