By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

The scandal involving Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is spreading. Not only is President-elect Barack Obama caught up in the morass, so is U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Example: On Thursday morning a Google search for "Blagojevich" listed stories about corruption charges against the governor. But they were listed next to a picture of Obama, not Blagojevich.

The more disturbing example:

Someone in the camp of Jackson may have told Blagojevich that $500,000 could be raised for the governor if he appointed Jackson to the U.S. Senate to replace Obama.

That was what the taped conversations with the governor revealed, although no names have been released of who talked with Blagojevich about the Senate seat.

On Wednesday Jackson said he had "engaged in no wrongdoing." Previously, Obama has said he has done nothing wrong in regard to an appointment to his seat.

Law enforcement officials have indicated that Jackson was not recorded talking to the governor.

Still, the charges against Blagojevich have raised the ugly stench of Illinois-style corruption around Obama at the most inopportune time -- as he's preparing to become president.