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Rezko Trial Winds Down With Impact Uncertain
The public corruption trial of businessman and political fundraiser Tony Rezko is expected to end today with closing arguments entered by both sides in Federal District court in Chicago. Rezko stands accused of engaging in kickback schemes involving two powerful Illinois state boards totaling $7 million. Rezko raised funds for a number of prominent Illinois officials, including Sen. Barack Obama, and the outcome of the trial could have an impact on the presidential race. While Obama is not accused of any wrongdoing, a Rezko conviction would be a major embarrassment to his campaign.The timing of the trial could not have been worse for Obama, whose relationship to Rezko remains in question. Rezko assisted Obama with the purchase of his suburban Chicago home and was a prominent financial backer of the former community organizer's various political campaigns. In 2005, while Rezko was known to be under Federal investigation, Obama entered into a complicated financial transaction involving Rezko to purchase his $1.6 million home while Rezko's wife purchased the adjacent lot, which the home's owner agreed to split off from the property, for $625,000. The Obamas paid $300,000 less than the asking price for the house. Later, Rezko sold a portion of the adjacent lot to the Obamas for $105,000, rendering Rezko's parcel practically unusable. After first stonewalling on questions about the deal, Obama has since admitted that his involvement with Rezko in the transaction lacked judgment, calling it, "a bone-headed mistake."
Federal prosecutors said in their closing argument yesterday that Rezko used the state Health Facilities Planning Board and the state pensions board to extort monies out of companies wishing to gain state contracts. At least three of the members of the Health Facilities Planning Board, including the chairman, made contributions to Rezko before being appointed. Rezko's alleged partner in the scheme, Stuart Levine, testified at the trial that he and Rezko planned to split a $1.5 million kickback paid by a company that wanted to build a hospital in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Prosecutors said that Rezko wan an intimate part of a "corrupt ring of individuals." "He joined the corrupt scheme, he acted in furtherance of it and he did it for money," U.S. Attorney Reid Schar said.
Rezko's lawyers dismissed the allegations from Levine, pointing to his admittedly long history of illegal drug use. "He said he is a felon, he admitted he is a liar many times over, he said he is a thief, and I don't know if he said he was a drug addict, but he was a drug abuser," defense attorney Joseph Duffy said.
However the verdict comes down, the renewed focus on the Obama-Rezko relationship could be bad for Obama's campaign. Fresh off his victory in North Carolina and a closer-than-expected loss in Indiana last week, Obama is making the case that the Democratic nomination contest is essentially over. But his rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, is not yet backing down, and is stressing that she is the more electable candidate for the general election. A Rezko conviction will invite a reexamination of the relationship, tenuous as it may be, between him and Obama. That is surely not the kind of general election campaign kick-off that the Obama campaign envisioned.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 5)D. L. GRAHAM8:28AMMay 13th 2008
THE FLASH PAN CANDIDATE
After May 9th (D-IL) US/Senator Barrack “Barry” Hussein Obama, became the flash pan candidate. Obama’a campaign became the classic tortoise and the hare campaign, by making the tactical blunder of disengagement in the “Primary” and turning to the “General” Campaign leaving the campaign of (D-NY) US/Senator Hillary Diane Rodham-Clinton wounded but not mortally wounded.
The Clinton Campaign since May 9th have been able to make the argument that Obama is the Black-Guy who was nothing more than the slick talking Allen Key, or Jessie Jackson Sr., from the South Side of Chicago, who’s talk of change was nothing more than all talk and no substance. That in fact Obama can not be elected, due to the fact that the United States is in fact still a racist country, and will never elect, a Black-guy to the Presidency. And, this point was made in her speech about Obama not able to get the votes of Hard-Working (WHITE) voter’s. And, in fact the point was proven by the air having come out of his balloon campaign after May 9th, at which point it was (FORD) Found On Road Dead.
The “Talk Of Change Express” had come off its rails, and every one of the last “Primary” contests has shown that Obama is a weak “General” election candidate, among (White), Women, Dual Citizen Jewish American Voters, Senior voters, Independent, and cross over Republican voters.
That in fact the “Super-Delegates” were set-up for just this type of empty candidate, a “flash in the pan”, no substance beyond the talk campaign, which can’t win in the “General” campaign, a house of straw campaign. The Obama Campaign was and is nothing more than a “Cult or Fad” Campaign, that fell apart after 9th May.
Davidg8:31AMMay 13th 2008
Is the south side of Chicago a much better place now because of Barack Obama?
rrm128:54AMMay 13th 2008
How did Obama's "Mentor" Rev. Wright say it????
"THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST".
AND IT'S ABOUT TIME THE TRUE OBAMA IS BEING EXPOSED.
letha9:07AMMay 13th 2008
Didn't this same Rezko guy fund bill clinton re electin bid...looks like the clintons also have a shady past..no one mentions that ..i wonder why? wake up and smell the coffee before it's too late..
lois9:12AMMay 13th 2008
WRONG LETHA. You will have to dig a little deeper. All Clinton did was to shake his hand at a religious breakfast at the White House, and nothing was in that hand. Go fish some more.
RustyShackleford9:17AMMay 13th 2008
Looks like the "Prince Charming" of the Democratic party has turned into a toad.
Oops- I just called the first Black Presidential nominee in America a toad. I guess now that makes me a R A C I S T .
lois9:19AMMay 13th 2008
The chicken will be roosting in our White House, along with the same man who allowed his two daughters to hear the Rev Wright's racist, hate-filled sermons week after week all of their lives, then left the church in time to make his bid for the White House. This country will need lots of help soon if Obama wins.
lois9:19AMMay 13th 2008
Letha-- Wrong! You may need to look for something else. The only ties Clinton had with Rezko as president, was when he shook his hand at the prayer breakfast for ministers all over the country. No, there was nothing in that hand when shaking. You must be a desperate person. I can't wait to say "I told you so". The sad part is that it may be too late for this country.
TOBY9:26AMMay 13th 2008
Old News. Nothing the public does not already know. No substance in that matter at all to be of any concern to the public. If someone is looking for a needle in the Obama's haystack they are out of luck. Try Clintons, has a large amount of corruption in her portfolio
Katherine9:27AMMay 13th 2008
There's a lot more to the multiple defendant Rezko trial, which is really called Operation Boardgames. It's a complicated trial, and it involves Academy Award Hollywood producers, Saddam Hussein middle men fugitives like Alsammarae, and a Baathist regime Iraqi billionaire called Nadhmi Auchi (long--close Saddam Hussein history) who bankrolled Syrian Tony Rezko. There are also name drops like Karl Rove, and a mention that Rezko once raised about $3 Million in Chicago for current President Bush. (Rezko raised money for both democrats and republicans.)
Here is a brand new expose on Operation Boardgames by Eveyln Pringle--out yesterday. There's a Part 1, and a Part 2 (subplots) which is on the way very shortly--as in, today. http://www.smirkingchimp.com/author/evelyn_pringle
-Also, Rezko Watch is another website to look at--lots of info:
http://rezkowatch.blogspot.com/
--Well, I do wonder if Rezko will get in trouble for this all--not because he isn't SO guilty it is blatant, but because Chicago is SO corrupt, everybody is bought off. Even Mayor Daley is tied into everything, who knows about the jury and the judge and even the prosecution, ya know?
tidbit: Mayor Daley was close to Thomas Ayers--Bill Ayers family, and Rezko--Emil Jones--Mayor Daley all helped to boost Obama. Obama also worked with Bill Ayers' brother and father, and Michelle worked with Bernadine Dorhn before Michelle even met Barack.
--I'm telling you that because, as John Kass and a lot of others have been saying...is that we are all going to find out how corrupt and connected Chicago is---it's a strange place where even left wing radicals work in tandem with conservative republicans. There's a power and money sickness there. Obama was groomed for all of this, years ago, and boosted by reps and dems. You'll see.
Here's a brief article about how Obama has magically stayed clean in this race and in the media even though he's from the dirtiest of politics:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass_bd11may11,0,4134722.column
But anyway, Rezko still might cut a deal if he realizes that he would certainly face serious time, and spill the beans about everything.
-Also, this judge has been very careful to keep the trial on course and keep much of the documents private, etc, but those pages can still come out and there is most likely more info about Obama in those papers.
Also, remember, Stuart Levine testified that Michelle and Barack both met guest of honor Nadhmi Auchi at Rezko's party, which Obama said he did not recall, but later other partygoers stepped forward and stated that not only did Barack meet Auchi, but he is the one who gave the dinner toast in honor of Auchi--a few times.
-Anyway, there is a lot more to this story, it is a little tricky to follow. Just remember, everybody is crooked, and everybody is in bed together. Very sticky--very corrupt.
james dalquist jr.9:29AMMay 13th 2008
“Cult or Fad” Campaign, that fell apart after 9th May." Dream on...and on Rip Van Gra-ham..
Against Obama9:38AMMay 13th 2008
Obama is dirty.....just wait and see......
Denver Camden9:42AMMay 13th 2008
The impact is not uncertain, Barack Obama never has been alledged to have any wrong doing and that has not changed one iota. Trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill won't alter Barack's course. Dirty politics are par, compared to a cow farting in the wind. Nobody with common sense pays any attention. Rezco is not boot-shaking news, been around since 2007. Clintons have had to repay FEC for their illicit activities and hiding funds rather than reporting them to the FEC; MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD. ON RECORD, there is plenty more about how many Clintons associated with going to prison. Cargo that will not go away and will be used against Hillary by the Republican Machine if she was to become nominee.
That is a major reason Clinton is unelectable and thinking Democrats see it. Other major reason is she lacks the MATH.
Katherine9:43AMMay 13th 2008
Here's a quick who's who list in the Rezko Corruption Trial:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=189235&src=109
--
ALSO:
Prepare yourself, because there is ANOTHER man, a man who supports Barack Obama's candidacy, and also contributed a few grand to his current campaign, who JUST filed a 17. million lawsuit against Tony Rezko just a few DAYS ago because he is saying he got swindled, and this one involves Auchi buying Chicago property and exchanging it with Rezko and anyway--this NEXT Rezko trial will likely bring up more Auchi stuff--NOT GOOD.
_________________
--Also, just so everyone knows clearly:
Rezko was bankrolled by Auchi--a man who owns half of London politicians...and Rezko fundraised for politicians, and he was also in real estate, so he WOULD exchange land deals for political favors, and OBAMA is not the only one.
-tidbit: The are photos of Auchi with Emil Jones, Gov of Illinois Blagojevich, and even Kwame Kilpatrick of Michigan.
--Furthermore, you have to understand something else: Tony Rezko approached Barack Obama way back in LAW SCHOOL. He scouted him wayyyy back then. That's when their friendship began. Later, Obama would work at a law firm and one of the partners, Allison Davis left law to become a real estate partner with Tony Rezko.
--Chicago is just one big spiderweb of connections and horrendous corruption. It is likely it will all come out soon enough.
CARL BENSEN9:45AMMay 13th 2008
mafresources 8:03AM May 13th 2008
It is time that America learns who Hillary Clinton really is and how he has risen to power.
BEN EARLING9:50AMMay 13th 2008
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH...Katherine. HOW SCARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. Pull out the Clintons RECORDED DOSSIER. THAT....would be too scary for you eh?
DividedWeAre9:50AMMay 13th 2008
Let the DNC know you will NOT vote Obama in November. Sign the
IPetition NOW!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NoOBamain08
Whatever your reason for saying NO, lets give them NUMBERS they can
understand. :)
SPREAD THE WORD!
Terrance9:52AMMay 13th 2008
Don't you just love the way Katherine is compelled to ignore Clinton's corrupt past. Bias is the curse of ignorance.
DONALD T. SHAFFER9:57AMMay 13th 2008
DO you remember these????????????/
Hillary hopes you have forgotten. Have you????
Hillary Clinton has been telling America that she is the most qualified candidate for president based on her 'record,' which she says includes her eight years in the White House as First Lady - or 'co-president' - and her seven years in the Senate. Here is a reminder of what that record includes:
- As First Lady, Hillary assumed authority over Health Care Reform, a process that cost the taxpayers over $13 million. She told both Bill Bradley and Pat Moynahan, key votes needed to pass her legislation, that she would 'demonize 'anyone who opposed it. But it was opposed; she couldn't even get it to a vote in a Congress controlled by her own party. (And in the next election, her party lost control of both the House and Senate.)
- Hillary assumed authority over selecting a female Attorney General. Her first two recommendations (Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood) were forced to withdraw their names from consideration, and then she chose Janet Reno. Janet Reno has since been described by Bill himself as 'my worst mistake.'
- Hillary recommended Lani Guanier for head of the Civil Rights Commission. When Guanier's radical views became known, her name had to be withdrawn.
- Hillary recommended her former law partners, Web Hubbell, Vince Foster, and William Kennedy for positions in the Justice Department, White House staff, and the Treasury,respectively. Hubbell was later imprisoned, Foster committed suicide, and Kennedy was forced to resign.
- Hillary also recommended a close friend of the Clintons, Craig Livingstone, for the position of director of White House security. When Livingstone was investigated for the improper access of up to 900 FBI files of Clinton enemies (Filegate) and the widespread use of drugs by White House staff, both Hillary and her husband denied knowing him. (FBI agent Dennis Sculimbrene confirmed in a Senate Judiciary Committee in 1996 both the drug use and Hillary's involvement in hiring Livingstone. After that, the FBI closed its White House Liaison Office, after serving seven presidents for over thirty years.)
- In order to open 'slots' in the White House for her friends the Harry Thomasons (to whom millions of dollars in travel contracts could be awarded), Hillary had the entire staff of the White House Travel Office fired; they were reported to the FBI for 'gross mismanagement' and their reputations ruined. After a thirty-month investigation, only one, Billy Dale, was charged with a crime - mixing personal money with White House funds when he cashed checks. The jury acquitted him in less than two hours.
- Another of Hillary's assumed duties was directing the 'bimbo eruption squad' and scandal defense:
---- She urged her husband not to settle the Paula Jones lawsuit. -She refused to release the Whitewater documents, which led to the appointment of Ken Starr as Special Prosecutor After $80 million dollars of taxpayer money was spent, Starr's investigation led to Monica Lewinsky, which led to Bill lying about and later admitting his affairs.
---- Then they had to settle with Paula Jones after all.
---- And Bill lost his law license for lying to the grand jury.
---- And Bill was impeached by the House.
---- And Hillary almost got herself indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice (she avoided it mostly because she repeated, 'I do not recall,' 'I have no recollection,' and 'I don't know' 56 times under oath).
- Hillary accepted the traditional First Lady's role of decorator of the White House at Christmas, but in a unique Hillary way. In 1994, for example, The First Lady's Tree in the Blue Room (the focal point each year) was Decorated with drug paraphernalia, sex toys, and pornographic ornaments, all personally approved by Hillary as the invited artists' depiction's of the theme, 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.'
- Hillary wrote 'It Takes a Village,' demonstrating her Socialist viewpoint.
- Hillary decided to seek election to the Senate in a state she had never lived in. Her husband pardoned FALN terrorists in order to get Latino support and the New Square Hassidim to get Jewish support. Hillary also had Bill pardon her brother's clients, for a small fee, to get financial support.
- Then Hillary left the White House, but later had to return $200,000 in White House furniture, china, and artwork she had stolen.
- In the campaign for the Senate, Hillary played the 'woman card' by portraying her opponent (Lazio) as a bully picking on her.
- Hillary's husband further protected her by asking the National Archives to withhold from the public until 2012 many records of their time in the White House, including much of Hillary's correspondence and her calendars. (There are ongoing lawsuits to force the release of those records.)
- As the junior Senator from New York, Hillary has passed no major legislation. She has deferred to the senior Senator (Schumer) to tend to the needs of New Yorkers, even on the hot issue of medical problems of workers involved in the cleanup of Ground Zero after 9/11.
- Hillary's one notable vote, supporting the plan to invade Iraq, she has since disavowed.
Quite a resume, isn't it? Sounds more like an organized crime family..
Make sure America remembers. Pass this on.
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mafresources8:03AMMay 13th 2008
It is time that America learns who Barack Obama really is and how he has risen to power.
He is nothing more than a puppet of the wealthy, elitist far-left that has hijacked the Democratic Party. Read The New American Disenfranchisement and Support The Obama Truth Week at
http://politicallydrunk.blogspot.com