National news briefs

Aide says governor sought gain in pick

CHICAGO (AP) — Rod Blagojevich was excited about what he might get in exchange for Barack Obama's Senate seat — from campaign donations to a post in the new administration or just sending himself to Washington — according to the ousted governor's former top aide and wiretap recordings played in court Tuesday.

Blagojevich talked about his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appoint a new senator, considering several alternatives in an effort to get the best possible deal for himself — including feeding misinformation to the Obama camp and others, according to testimony by former chief of staff John Harris.

Blagojevich, 53, has pleaded not guilty to scheming to sell or trade the appointment to Obama's seat.

Abramoff lands job in kosher pizzeria

BALTIMORE (AP) — Disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff has landed a job at a kosher pizzeria in Baltimore soon after his release from prison.

The owner of Tov Pizza, Ron Rosenbluth, said Abramoff began working there Monday. He is learning about the business and will eventually help with marketing. Abramoff is an orthodox Jew.

He was released this month from a minimum-security prison camp in western Maryland after serving about 31/2 years for fraud, corruption and conspiracy. The former Washington power broker's activities led to the conviction of a congressman.

Testimony ends in gay Scouts trial

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia trial over the Boy Scouts of America's no-gays policy has produced one gay Scout who was ousted from the local council. But a city lawyer says the policy amounts to a sign at a luncheon counter that reads "No Gays Allowed."

In his closing argument to a jury Tuesday, lawyer David Smith said the rule may have scared off countless other gay men and boys.

The city of Philadelphia wants to evict the local Boy Scouts council from a city-owned building unless it renounces the Scouts' national policy banning gays. The city believes the policy violates a local anti-discrimination ordinance.

The council calls that coercion. Its lawyers point to a Supreme Court decision that says private organizations can limit membership.

Man accused of computer blackmail