R.I.P. Scout26
Possible change of heartRezko talked with prosecutors, may aid probe, sources sayBy David Kidwell, John Chase and Jeff Coen | Chicago Tribune reporters 5:24 PM CDT, September 27, 2008 Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a convicted influence peddler who was once one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's most trusted confidants, has met with federal prosecutors and is considering cooperating in the corruption probe of the governor's administration, sources told the Tribune.Rezko's possible change of heart—after years of steadfast refusal—has sent ripples through a tight circle of prominent defense attorneys who represent dozens of potential witnesses and targets in the wide-ranging probe.His cooperation would give prosecutors investigating the governor and his wife access to someone they have described as an ultimate political insider at the center of a pervasive pay-to-play scheme.Rezko's trial this year laid bare a culture of scams, bribes and backroom deals stretching from City Hall to the Statehouse. It even became fodder in the presidential campaign of Democratic nominee Barack Obama, whose fundraising and personal ties to Rezko go back more than a decade.Rezko has made no deal in the wake of his June corruption conviction, sources familiar with the situation said, but has had preliminary talks with prosecutors before an October sentencing that could put him in prison for years. Still, there are indications Rezko has already provided investigators with information.Four attorneys have told the Tribune in recent days that federal prosecutors have telephoned them and other attorneys either with news Rezko is talking, or armed with details only Rezko could know. The lawyers speculated prosecutors are using the preliminary talks with Rezko to shake loose more cooperation from other witnesses."I had very recent a conversation with an assistant U.S. attorney that led me to believe they were getting specific information from either Mr. Rezko or Mr. Rezko's lawyer," said a defense attorney who said he represents a figure in the case. None of the attorneys interviewed would agree to be quoted by name, saying they didn't want to hurt their clients.The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago declined to comment, as did Rezko's attorney William Ziegelmueller.Rezko's potential worth to federal authorities extends to every aspect of their investigation, including probes of state hiring and real estate deals involving the governor's wife. Prosecutors have portrayed Rezko, a former restaurant magnate and real estate developer, as intricately involved in some of the most guarded decisions since the earliest days of the administration.During his trial, prosecutors described Rezko as having a direct line to the governor and his top aides on issues including policy and the appointments of key department heads and members of state regulatory boards. And, they charged, Rezko traded those positions and favors for some of the millions in campaign contributions he raised for the governor, and for the allegiance of those he lifted to influential posts.One key aspect of the federal investigation centers on the real estate dealings of the governor's wife, Patricia, who was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years as a broker for Rezko, his associates and others with business before the state. Federal investigators have subpoenaed records and conducted interviews regarding her real estate dealings. The governor and his wife have denied wrongdoing.During the trial, three convicted political insiders testified about private meetings with the governor that prosecutors cited as evidence of a scheme to buy state jobs and business with campaign donations. Each testified that Blagojevich implied campaign donors would profit from his influence.One of those witnesses, former Illinois Finance Authority Executive Director Ali Ata, testified that he attended a meeting at Rezko's offices with Rezko and the governor before he was hired. At the meeting, Ata said, he brought a $25,000 check that was placed on the table in front of Blagojevich, who then mentioned a state job.Rezko has adamantly denied guilt and vowed never to cooperate with federal investigators.Two months before his conviction on fraud charges, Rezko typed a letter to his trial judge accusing "overzealous" prosecutors of pressuring him to talk about wrongdoing involving Obama or Blagojevich. Rezko said there was none to talk about."They are pressuring me to tell them the 'wrong' things that I supposedly know about Governor Blagojevich and Senator Obama," Rezko wrote U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve in an April bid to be released on bail during his trial."I have never been party to any wrongdoing that involved the governor or the senator," Rezko continued. "I will never fabricate lies about anyone else for selfish purposes. I will take what comes my way, but I will never hurt innocent people."Rezko was a political supporter of Obama going back to when he was running for state Senate. Obama's ties to Rezko have become a political albatross for the presidential nominee, who has been forced to defend the convicted felon's fundraising activities for him and revelations Obama bought his South Side mansion on the same day in 2005 that Rezko purchased a vacant lot next door.Officials for Obama's campaign have said prosecutors during Rezko's trial never made any suggestions that Obama was involved in anything improper.Still, Republican presidential nominee John McCain has highlighted the ties between Obama and Rezko in a national television commercial.
Rezko is due to get sentenced on 28 Oct. The results of that day will be telling.
And in other news, President Tactical Pants has announced a new, cabinet-level position, replacing the Civilian Marksmanship Program with a new Department of the Militia. With HUD, DoE, and other departments demolished in recent months, he will certainly have room for a new cabinet Secretary...
Oh, forget the whole thing. I'm voting for me. I suggest you all do the same. ABC News cast3 Sept. 2010QuoteAnd in other news, President Tactical Pants has announced a new, cabinet-level position, replacing the Civilian Marksmanship Program with a new Department of the Militia. With HUD, DoE, and other departments demolished in recent months, he will certainly have room for a new cabinet Secretary...
I'm accepting resumes.
Telltale letter a staple in Blagojevich arsenalJohn Kass October 8, 2008 As Barack Obama and John McCain prepared for their debate on Tuesday, Illinois Gov. Rod "The Unreformer" Blagojevich broke out with a severe case of creeping feditis.He mentioned Sen. Obama and convicted political influence peddler Tony Rezko at least four times. Maybe five. Or was it six?I stopped counting, but I'm sure Obama didn't like hearing the name of his own real estate fairy on the lips of a governor with a profound federal infection.Obama and Blagojevich are Chicago politicians, well versed in the Chicago Way and the Democratic political machine. Each has been nurtured, fed and counseled by Rezko. So at an impromptu, outdoor news conference on the South Side, Blagojevich was asked: Have you talked to your friend Tony Rezko? "I have not," said the governor, unbendable, quite stiff in his indignation.Why not? You're his friend, right?"Well, I don't think he's in a place where he can take a phone call," said Blagojevich, in the understatement of the decade.Rezko sits lonely in the federal lockup, and though the governor is welcome to call, it might be recorded for training purposes. Rezko is news because he's about to get on the federal witness bus, find a comfy seat and talk of corrupt Illinois politics, something the national news media doesn't care much about. He was convicted of fraud in his corruption trial last year, which offered a tour of the bipartisan Illinois Combine, that clique of jolly Democrats and Republicans who leverage government to make themselves rich. Blagojevich has not been charged with any crime, nor has his wife, Patti, a real estate broker with Rezko deals. They may never be charged. But no politician in the state—not even the governor's friendly shadow, state Sen. James DeLeo (D-How You Dooin?)—would take that bet. Rezko was scheduled for sentencing Oct. 28. On Monday, the U.S. attorney's office asked the judge to delay Rezko's trip to prison."The parties agree that the [sentencing date], as well as dates related to sentencing filings should be stricken while the parties engage in discussions that could affect their sentencing postures," stated the motion by federal prosecutors.Sentencing postures? Hmmm. The posture I'm thinking about can't be mentioned in this newspaper."It is what it is, it speaks for itself," said Blagojevich on Tuesday, ready to launch the first of many Unsolicited Obama References."Tony Rezko is a friend of mine, my heart goes out to him and his family, and he like everybody else should tell the truth. And I would point out that he sent a letter, Tony Rezko sent a letter to a federal judge where he expressly said that neither Sen. Obama nor I did anything wrong," Blagojevich said. A TV reporter asked if he felt the walls closing in on him, like some character in an Edgar Allan Poe story. I wanted to mention the story about Rezko's heart beating loudly under the floorboards, divided but thumping wildly under Obama's house and Blagojevich's house. But I kept my mouth shut."No, again, let me reiterate," Blagojevich said, about to launch Unsolicited Obama Reference No. 2. ". . . I'm not going to, you know, run away from a friend. I'm not going to pretend that, you know, he wasn't a friend."I thought he'd say, "This isn't the Tony Rezko I knew," the way Obama dismisses friends when they start itching him, but the governor didn't. "He should do as everybody ought to do and be truthful and as I said, he wrote a letter to a federal judge and he was expressly clear that when it came to Sen. Obama and me, neither one of us did anything wrong and so we just have to let the process unfold."Then came Unsolicited Obama References 4 and 5, and he kept invoking the letter in which Rezko said that he and Sen. Obama weren't guilty of anything. Blagojevich looked at me, unblinking, his hair stiff in the wind, forceful as he professed innocence. I thought of all the other guys who looked that way, so earnest, jauntily indignant, tough guys in the movies, until their friends jumped on the federal bus. Months later, you see them blubbering on the witness stand, as bendable as green modeling clay, as pliable as a child's action figure, before achieving what the feds now call the "sentencing posture."Just then, a woman next to me asked the governor if he'd resign if indicted."I'm not going to answer dumb questions like that," he snapped. I asked why he didn't answer her question, and he launched into Unsolicited Obama Reference No. Whatever.That's not what I asked you, I said. I asked, if you are indicted, will you step down?"Tony sent a letter to a federal judge where he expressly stated that neither Sen. Obama nor I did anything wrong," said the governor. "I'm not going to answer stupid questions like that."He walked away with his head high, and I thought of how he once compared himself to John Wayne. But then I thought about Gumby.
It takes a while but I think we'll eventually send another illinois governor to jail.
