Graphic source: James A. Finley, AP
Graphic source: AP
Graphic source: AP
Graphic source: Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press
Barack Obama is flanked by Gov. Blagojevich, left, and Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley, right, during an April 2007 rally.
Graphic source: AP
A federal judge in January will sentence political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who helped bankroll campaigns for The Elect and Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Rezko was convicted in June on charges of using clout with Blagojevich's administration to help launch a $7 million kickback scheme. His sentencing had been postponed indefinitely, giving rise to widespread speculation he was talking to federal prosecutors investigating alleged corruption in state government.
Rezko was a prolific fundraiser who raised money for President-elect Obama's campaigns for the state legislature and Congress, but not for Obama's presidential campaign.
Rezko is set to go to trial early next year on unrelated charges that he swindled the General Electric Capital Corp. out of $10 million in the sale of a group of pizza restaurants. He also allegedly owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in gambling debts.
Today, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is facing federal corruption charges. FBI agents arrested Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, on charges related in part to the selection of The Elect's successor to the Senate. The charges include a count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and a count of solicitation of bribery. The 76-page affidavit allege that wiretaps recorded Blagojevich conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat in exchange for financial benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.
Obama admitted nothing.
"Obviously, like the rest of the people of Illinois, I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the U.S. attorney's office today," he said. "But as this is an ongoing investigation involving the governor, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this time."
Obama said he had no contact with the governor or his office.
His statement that he didn't have contact with Blagojevich about the Senate seat seems to conflict with that of top adviser David Axelrod, who told Fox News Chicago on 23 November: "I know he's talked to the governor, and there are a whole range of names, many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them."
On Tuesday, Axelrod issued a detraction saying: "I was mistaken. ... They did not then or at any time discuss the subject."
And, I take it the people of Illinois were represented by a Senator who had no interest in finding a suitable replacement. If something does not sound right it usually is not true.
"I was not aware of what was happening," Obama added.
One possible connection between The Elect and the governor had been raised earlier in the year. Federal authorities also allege the governor and Harris schemed with others--including convicted real estate developer Rezko--to obtain financial benefits for himself, his family and others, including his campaign committee, Friends of Blagojevich. Obama was an associate of Rezko in particular in obtaining his mansion in Chicago.
In addition, Obama is close to Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, who has been the governor's staunchest legislative ally. And at least one top aide to Obama, Michael Strautmanis, previously worked for Blagojevich. Obama has appointed Strautmanis to serve as White House chief of staff to the presidential assistant for intergovernmental relations and public liaison. The Chicago native was legislative director and counsel to Blagojevich when the governor was a member of Congress and then helped Blagojevich win the governorship in 2002. There is no indication that Strautmanis is involved in the case.
"We were in the middle of a corruption crime spree and we wanted to stop it," stated U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
Blagojevich is most likely guilty, guilty of being the low man on the totem pole. He is the scapegoat.
He still gets to appoint a Senatorial successor, unless one of the other proposals such as him resigning is enacted.
As background, journalist Evelyn Pringle has been doing a lot of in depth research into Obama’s many long time connections to crime and corruption in Chicago and Illinois. Here are some excerpts from her research:
“The names of Obama and Blagojevich became tied to the bid rigging scandal when reports surfaced that Companion had sought their help in carrying out the contract a year after Alsammarae left office, and around the same time he was thrown in jail in Iraq.”
“US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald does not make a habit of destroying pubic officials by listing them in indictments for no reason and the only two political candidates identified as receiving campaign money from Operation Board Games kickback schemes are Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and the US Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama.”
“Instead of referring to Board Games as the “Rezko” case, before long the media will likely be calling it the “Blagojevich” case. However, because the governor did not become the presidential candidate, when the scandal is recorded in the history books it will be the “Barack Obama” case. “
“Dr Michel Malek gave Obama $10,000 a little over a month before the first meeting on June 30, 2003. He also donated $25,000 to Blagojevich three weeks later on July 25, 2003, and gave Obama another $500 in September 2003. Malek was an investor in Riverside Park. “
“Dr Fortunee Massuda donated $25,000 to Blagojevich on July 25, 2003, and gave a total of $2,000 to Obama on different dates. Massuda’s husband, Charles Hannon, is a co-schemer in the pension fund case and testified against Rezko in the trial.”
“In the media, Obama always made it sound like he rarely saw Rezko, saying they met for breakfast or lunch once or twice a year. However, the FBI mole John Thomas helped investigators “build a record of repeat visits to the old offices of Rezko and former business partner Daniel Mahru’s Rezmar Corp., at 853 N. Elston, by Blagojevich and Obama during 2004 and 2005,” according to the February 10, 2008 Sun-Times.”
“On May 20, 2005, the Times said, “Two Rezko associates gave Blagojevich $25,000 each just days after the governor named them to a state panel.”
However, the reporters either failed to notice, or failed to mention, that panel member Malek gave $10,000 to Obama on June 30, 2003.“
Read the rest of Evelyn Pringle’s articles here:
The transcripts from the Rezko trial are available as well.
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