Federal and state election reports show that Nayak, his wife and his businesses for the last decade have donated more than $779,000 and raised hundreds of thousands more for candidates ranging from the Cook County circuit court clerk to Obama.

He has contributed primarily to Democrats but also to Republicans.

Nayak has been a notable contributor and fundraiser for three state officials who have been among the governor's harshest critics since the scandal broke -- Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn and Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

Nayak and his longtime business attorney refused to discuss the Blagojevich case. But the attorney, Thomas Conley, said his client is "just a good guy" and an honest businessman who stepped up when "the Indian community recognized that it needed to have its interests heard by politicians."

Nayak has been a longtime supporter of Rep. Jackson, and he's traveled with the congressman's father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, to India.