Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich responded dismissively to reports that one of his close friends and advisors had a role in secretly recording him.

Last Friday, the Chicago Tribune reported a lobbyist named John Wyma had a role in secretly taping Blagojevich.

Wyma was Blagojevich’s chief of staff while he was a Congressman.

At an unrelated event yesterday, the governor was asked once again about the federal corruption investigation hanging over him.

BLAGO: I think there’s nothing but sunshine hanging over me.

When it came to Wyma and secret recordings, Blagojevich made a confusing parallel between himself and Richard Nixon.

BLAGOJEVICH: I appreciate anyone who wants to tape me openly and notoriously. And those who feel that they want to sneakily and wear taping devices, I would remind them that kind of smells like Nixon and Watergate.

An attorney for John Wyma issued a statement saying Wyma did not secretly record the governor.

But it did not address the Tribune’s claim that Wyma’s cooperation with investigators lead to secret recordings.

I’m Ben Calhoun, Chicago Public Radio.