Nils Larsen

A top financial adviser to businessman Sam Zell, Lars Nilsen is managing director of Equity Group Investments LLC and executive vice president of Tribune Company.Talking Points Memo: Report Identifies Zell Financial Adviser (December 12, 2008) Shortly after Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges, the Chicago Tribune reported that Blagojevich's chief of staff John Harris contacted Larsen in November of 2008. Harris, acting on Blagojevich's instructions, was reportedly attempting to solicit Larsen's help in removing certain Tribune staff members who had written editorials that were critical of Blagojevich and his actions.Chicago Tribune: Sam Zell's financial adviser at Tribune Co. was middleman... (December 12, 2008)

Although Harris allegedly contacted Larsen and pressured him to get certain Chicago Tribune staff fired, no Tribune writers were fired from the newspaper. A spokesperson for the Tribune stated that no one affiliated with the paper had conducted themselves inappropriately. As of December 12, 2008, no allegations of wrongdoing had been made against Larsen, although it was unclear whether he acted on Blagojevich's requests.Chicago Tribune: Sam Zell's financial adviser at Tribune Co. was middleman... (December 12, 2008)