Rezko's Corruption Trial Put Obama's Ties to Him in Spotlight
Although Obama isn't named in the indictment his name came up in trial because of Rezko's fundraising
Antoin Rezko has plenty of connections to Barack Obama. A Chicago businessman and real estate developer, Rezko was a longtime fundraiser for Obama's political campaigns. He helped rally support for the young state senator and came to the Obamas' aid in 2005 when they were attempting to buy a home. Their favorite house was being sold together with an empty lot next door—a combination Obama has said he couldn't afford. Enter Rezko, who was already under federal investigation. To help the Obamas satisfy the seller, Rezko had his wife purchase the adjoining lot at the same time. Not long after, she sold the Obamas a 10-foot parcel of land to expand their yard. It was an arrangement that led some to question whether the Obamas got a special deal.
Though Obama has since called these dealings "boneheaded," they are not the subject of the federal criminal trial now underway against Rezko.
Influence. Instead, the case against Rezko centers on his influence with another prominent politico: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, one of many state politicians Rezko helped to raise campaign cash. Charged with fraud, attempted extortion, money laundering, and aiding bribery, Rezko is accused of trying to extort millions of dollars from firms attempting to do business with the teachers' pension board and state hospital regulatory panel. Prosecutors allege that Rezko used his influence to get friends on the government boards, who then demanded kickbacks from potential contractors. One of his main allies, Stuart Levine, pleaded guilty to the scheme and is now the government's main witness against Rezko.
Testimony from the criminal trial, which began in March, has so far painted an unflattering portrait of favoritism under Blagojevich's tenure, although the governor is not charged with any crime. Obama's name, too, has come up during the trial but mostly as a side note. Prosecutors have said some of the money Rezko gained from the scheme ended up in Obama's campaign coffers. He has since donated that money to charity.
Still, the indictment of a onetime ally—someone Obama says he once trusted—has cast a shadow over the senator's judgment. At least, Obama can console himself that he was hardly the only Illinois politician to get snookered.
Reader Comments
Obama's choice of associates
To have accepted campaign contributions from from his close friends Tony Rezko; a convicted slum Lord and Terrorist William Ayres of "The Weather Underground" certainly doesn't give us any reason to believe that He should be running for the highest office in our country.
Polictics as Usual - Chicago Style
This just sounds like Politics as Usual, Chicago Style. Don't want this anywhere near the White House!
HMMMM????
How many passes will Obama get before the mass media and his supporters realize that he is not who he claims to be?
REPORT THE Facts Emma!!
Emma Schwartz,
PLEASE >> REPORT THE FACTS Dont Be Like FIX (fox) News and report Right Wingnut PROPAGANDA!!
Clintons got money from Rezko co-defendants!! THIS IS WHAT WAS REVEALED IN COURT HEARING ON March 3, 2008!!
Of the other five defendants, three have donated to the Clintons or to Clinton supporters, three have donated mostly to Republicans, and at least two have donated to Obama’s political opponents. None have donated to Obama.
SEE HERE>> http://www.margieburns.com/blog/_archives/2008/2/2/3501879.html
I am a BIG Hillary Supporter here in Florida, a former Chicago resident, BUT WE MUST BE FAIR When WE REPORT THESE ISSUES! In addition, Rezco issues has NOTHING to do with Sen. Obama!
NO ONE KNOW IF OR WHEN THE FEDS WILL COME Knocking on there association or friends door!
rezko
LET ME LIST THE NAMES OF OBAMA'S CLOSE...VERY CLOSE ASSOCIATES FROM THE STATE OF CORRUPTION CALLED ILLINOIS, TONY REZKO, REV. WRIGHT, WILLIAM AYERS, GOV. BLOGOJOBITCH, EMIL JONES, STROGER, REV. MEEKS, MAYOR DALEY, SEN GUTIERREZ...AND ON AND ON...ARE YOU PEOPLE GETTING THE PICTURE? HOW COULD OBAMA SAY HE IS FOR CHANGE YET HE ACTS LIKE ANY SLEEZY POLITICIAN?...TO ALL THE STUPID VOTERS OUT THERE...WAKE UP THIS GUY IS ALL SLEEZ AND NO SUBSTANCE.
Obama's buddies
Imagine who Obama croneyism might include if he indeed made it to the White House! And croneyism is what he's awfully good at. But then, if he hadn't had the help of all of these sleazy characters, he wouldn't be where he is today. But don't worry, they'll end up under the bus with his grandmother. He's a user in the worst way, and the elitist, arrogant, condescending comments he let slip this month only proved it. He used and denigrated the good people in all the small towns in America so he could elevate himself in the eyes of the rich supporters in California.
Obama judgement issues
I just can't understand why people support Obama. It makes no sense and it is very shocking to me. He seems like a little boy who keeps getting caught with his bad judgement. Why would people vote for him? That's is why if he wins the nomination, McCain will surely win and I must admit, I will vote for McCain.
Obama's friends
Could Barack Obama have worked so closely with terrorist Bill Ayres (google Obama terrorist bill ayres), Tony Rezko, and Jeremiah Wright and known nothing of their activities? People, this isn't rocket science.
An Insideous Pattern
To use one of Obama's own phrases, his poor judgement, and acting like a deer in headlights as if he's hearing that his pastor, his close friend and other associates bad words and deeds are calling his judgement into question is an insideous pattern.
BTW, I couldn't help but think of Rev. Wright's Trinity church and how Obama's words of "antipathy towards others not like them," was just as applicable.
Who associates with whom?
Many public officials are required to report if they are associating with felonious and questionable characters. Obama does not need to meet this requirement, but Hillary does. This seems unfair.
Obama may character ize his own Ganma as a typical , white gramdmother who is afraid of black men, but we of the white majority may not characterize as this is 'profiling' and bigotry.
I am proud of my parents, but Obama may skirt the issue of whether his wife, mother, bioloical father , step father are proAmerican or Pro USA. A google search raises issues as well as Michelle's own statement.
Hey , just bacause Hillary is white doesn't mean that the media should or should not give her the same breaks that the media gives to Obama.
Marvin lewis
3133 Fairfield St.
Phila., Pa 19136
215 676 1291
marvlewis@juno.com
Rezko
Obama apparently was the only one in Chicago who was too naive to recognize what the term "Fixer" meant - a name given to Rezko. Chicago Suntimes reported on March 15, 2008 Obama still counted Rezko as a friend.
There may be Rezko recommended people on Obama's campaign staff. His campaing manager said its possible.
Friend Ali Abunimah says Obama is pro-palestinian but is courting the Jewish vote so has to go along with mainstream thinking on Israel.
Bill Ayers - is not repentant over his terrorist past with the Weather Underground and has made several appearances with Obama since writing memoirs in (2001 I believe)
Lots more friends I'm sure - like Willian Said, Rashid Khalidi
Obama's remarks: "bitter and clinging to religion" has a Marxist ring to it --"Religion is the opiate of the masses."
Obama
I f Obama is elected as president,his first act will be to pardon his old freind Rezko.
Obama and money
OBAMA is ARROGANT because his RHETORIC is very good. He is ELITIST because of his Harvard-trained lawyer background and the new rich status. He became a NEW RICH with an INCOME OF $1,400,000 in six years, but he was very stingy in giving to CHARITIES LESS THAN 1%. He seems to looks down to the people that did not accomplish as much as him. He better read the Bible to understand that in the EYES of GOD, WE ALL ARE PRECIOUS and we all will be rewarded according to our relationship with God, never because of intelligence, college degree , fame or economic position.
Hillary made $100,000,000 in six years and gave $10,000,000 (1/3) OF HER INCOME TO CHARITIES. She is not arrogant she is a giver a CHAMPION PROTECTING CHILDREN, FAMILY AND WOMEN RIGHTS.
"It’s not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." –OBAMA - PENSYLVANIA
What's Obama still doing here?
John Kerry had gotten all but disqualified because he made one controversial statement over the Iraq war. Barack Obama has been caught in so many bold faced lies and He surrounds himself with everyone who hates America, the very country He is hoping to run. By the same standard that Kerry was driven out of the primary, Shouldn't he have been gone, like.................... months ago?
Oh for Pete sakes! Obama let all the reporters from two major Chicago newspapers grill him on this until they had asked everything they wanted to--three hours. Their conclusion was that he passed the clean test. But the bigger point would be that the Clintons would have to pass the same test. Hillary was the only first lady ever criminally investigated and Bill was disbarred for lying under oath. Their administration became famous because more people connected to it were indicted then any presidential administration ever. And then there's that thing where Bill pardoned Marc Rich and it just happened that his wife donated $450,000 to the Clinton library and $100,000 to Hillary's senate campaign. Also, on April 24,2008 the Clintons are ordered to appear in California Superior Court on charges of fraud. And that's just the tip of the Clinton iceberg. Obama has done nothing wrong. And his connections are squeaky clean in comparison.
Add your thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our comment guidelines.advertisement
Obama Pals
It seems that Obama has some unsavory friends! I think we will hear more about this!
Apr 11, 2008 16:45:39 PM [permalink] [report comment]