Rezko Speaks, Prosecutors Interested in Obama Listen
By Truthteller on September 29, 2008 at 5:55 PM in Barack Obama, Chicago, Chicago Mansion, Chicago politics, Crime, Emil Jones, Fund raising, Illinois senate, Obama's Thugs, Patrick Fitzgerald, Real Estate, Rezko, Tony Rezko, corruption
No Quarter reproduced Rezko’s letter to Judge Amy St. Eve dated 9 JUN 2008 in an essay I published on 12 JUN 2008. I quote Antoin “Tony” Rezko:
Your Honor, the prosecutors have been overzealous in pursuing a crime that never happened. They are pressuring me to tell them the “wrong” things that I supposedly know about Governor Blagojevich and Senator Obama. I have never been party to any wrongdoing that involved the Governor or the Senator. 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. I am not Levine, Loren, Mahru , or Winter.”
Either Rezko is “Levine, Loren, Mahru, [sic] or Winter,” or Rezko decided he will no longer relate “the ‘wrong’ things” but the right things he knows about Governor Blagojevich and Senator Obama. For according to a Chicago Tribune article published today, Rezko has met with prosecutors and is considering cooperating with their investigation. I quote the Tribune:
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.
Key phrases in this excerpt are “ripples through a tight circle of prominent defense attorneys who represent dozens of potential witnesses and targets,” “political insider at the center of a pervasive pay-to-play scheme” and “culture of scams, bribes and backroom deals stretching from City Hall to the Statehouse.” Obama, we recall, is the “unnamed political candidate” mentioned in the superseding indictment and in the proffer of evidence filed by Fitzgerald and his prosecutors. I quote the Chicago Sun-Times:
Obama is not named in the Dec. 21 court document. But a source familiar with the case confirmed that Obama is the unnamed “political candidate” referred to in a section of the document that accuses Rezko of orchestrating a scheme in which a firm hired to handle state teacher pension investments first had to pay $250,000 in “sham” finder’s fees. From that money, $10,000 was donated to Obama’s successful run for the Senate in the name of a Rezko business associate, according to the court filing and the source.
Rezko, who was part of Obama’s senatorial finance committee, also is accused of directing “at least one other individual” to donate money to Obama and then reimbursing that individual — in possible violation of federal election law.
This is only a scratch on the surface, however. For as I describe in one of my many essays on the subject of Obama and Rezko, Obama’s relationship with the convicted slum landlord is extensive and elaborate. I quote myself on the years 2003-2005:
2005 is the year Rezko helped Obama purchase the mansion in the Kenwood neighborhood in inner city Chicago. And 2003 is the year Rezko held a fundraiser for US Senate candidate Barack Obama at his posh home in Wilmette, Illinois. Another event of significance in 2003 is Illinois Governor Blagojevich’s appointment of Rezko to the Board that oversees the $30 billlion dollar teachers’ pension fund. This is the same year during which Barack Obama was appointed to the Illinois state Senate Committee on Pensions and Investments by his friend and mentor state Senator Emil Jones. According to the Superseding Indictment filed by Fitzgerald in December 2006, Obama’s appointment to this state Senate committee coincided with Rezko’s attempts to leverage his influence with “high-ranking State of Illinois officials” to oppose a pension consolidation plan that would complicate the efforts of Rezko and Levine to defraud investment firms and the pensions funds of Illinois. Notice also how Obama sat on the state Senate Pensions and Investments Board when Rezko funneled money he defrauded from an investment firm that sought access to the Illinois pensions fund to Obama through Joseph Aramanda, whose son worked as an intern in Obama’s US Senate office in 2005, the year Rezko advised and assisted the Obamas when they purchased the Kenwood mansion they could not afford.
That is only a brief summary of Obama’s involvement with Rezko during the years that are the focus of Fitzgerald’s probe. For more on Obama’s relationship with Rezko since at least 1991, I recommend consulting the diaries whose titles are listed below.
Obama’s ties to Rezko are deep and controversial. Moreover, recently unsealed documents from the court proceedings reveal Judge Amy St. Eve permitted prosecutors to summon witnesses who could provide testimony on Obama’s ties to Rezko. Prosecutors, in other words, were interested in Obama’s role in Rezko’s elaborate web of influence peddling and corruption.
The alarm expressed by defense attorneys who represent witnesses and potential targets in the wake of the revelation that Rezko is cooperating with prosecutors should be of interest to readers of No Quarter. For not only is Obama deeply embroiled in Rezko’s legal woes; Obama was also one of the prosecutors’ many targets. And although Obama’s campaign will claim that “prosecutors during Rezko’s trial never made any suggestions that Obama was involved in anything improper,” they neglect to understand that anything Rezko may relate now that he is cooperating with prosecutors will be used against Barack Obama. Besides, Rezko mentions Obama in his letter to Judge St. Eve dated 9 June 2008. If prosecutors were not pressing Rezko to reveal details about his relation to Obama, why would Rezko bother to mention Obama’s name?
Because Rezko is cooperating with prosecutors who demonstrated an interest in Rezko’s relation to Barack Obama during the trial, I imagine Obama’s campaign and defense attorneys are not pleased with this latest revelation in the Chicago Tribune. And yes, we at No Quarter will keep everyone posted. Rezko, after all, is one of the many reasons we insist on probing Barack Obama’s record.
—————————————————-
No Quarter dossier on Obama and Rezko:
- “CHICAGO MACHINE”
- The Tipping Point?
- Barack, The Truth Ain’t A Smear
- Patrick Fitzgerald Issues Obama A Warning
- What Hypocrite Obama Should Have Discussion during His Wesleyan Commencement Address
- Barack Obama’s Candidacy as a Take on The Picture of Dorian Gray
- A Majority of One: On Losing the Democratic Base
- Ok, So Tell Us What IS Allowed
- Two Lone Voices Speak for Millions of Us
- What’ll Be Left of the Democratic Party
- It Ain’t Over: Obama MAY Have to Pay the Piper After All
- Obama to Donate Contribution from Rezko’s Iraqi Friend
- Be My Friend, Godfather
- Jaws V, Starring Barack Obama
- The Chicago Three: Obama, Ayers & Rezko
- Charlie Gibson, Will You Ask Barack about Nadhmi Auchi?
- Saddam Hussein, Barack Hussein Obama’s Hidden Real Estate Partner?
- Barack “I-Didn’t-Know” Obama
- Those Who Haunt Him
- Hillary’s Campaign Comes out Swinging
- “Nobie and Obama”
- Authorization to Use Misleading Falsehoods
- What We’ve Noticed about the Speech
- This Is for Main Street (And for the Forgotten People Barack Obama Doesn’t Know)
- Michelle Obama: “Give Us Something Here”
- Rezko Muckrakers Alert!
- The Forgotten People
- Irrefutable Proof That Obama’s Own District Was Home to 11 Rezko Foreclosed Properties
- Speak the Truth, Fallout Be Damned
- The Rezko Saga: Two Videos
- Get Your Daily Rezko Dose Here
- The Media’s Panderbears, Part I
- Sunday Scoops: Rezko-gate and Adviser-gate
- Obama’s Prime-Slime Advisors
- Good Morning, Barack! (Rezko Got Jobs for Your Staffers? Do Tell.)
- Today’s Rezko Trial Scoops (And Prosecutors on $20K Kickback to Obama)
- ABC News: Rezko $50 Million in Debt
- 312.321.2417
- (Pants on Fire!) Lynn Sweet: Obama and His Taking Questions on Rezko
- Rezko Trial: Obama May Be Witness
- Obama’s Judgment on the Eve of Judgment Day
- Truthtelling from Lanny Davis (What about “Iron My Shirt?”)
- Experience, and Experiences (of the Rezko Sort)
- No He Can’t Because Yes They Will
- More Questions on Rezko
- “Obama Bagman” in Jail
- Democratic Death Wish
- How to Buy A Mansion You Can’t Afford
- Will Rezko Blow Up Obama?
- It is “Possible” Obama Was Aware of Rezko’s Financial and Legal Woes
- 20-Year Associate of Obama Arrested
- Look before You Leap: Obama’s Mobbed-Up Allies
- Politics Is A Blood Sport
- BREAKING: ABC News Reports $100,000 from Rezko That Obama Hasn’t Returned
- CNN on Rezko and Obama: This Is Obama’s “Slumwater”
- FACT CHECK: Obama, His Contributor Rezko, The Slum Landlord Business
- A Dope with Hope?
- Obama/Rezko: It Comes down to Judgment
- Didn’t Obama Watch The Firm
- Steve Clemons on Tonight’s Debate
- Patrick Fitzgerald Ties Obama to Rezko Indictments
- All in for Hillary
- Obama, His Lobbyists and His Cronies
RezkoWatch contains even more information on Obama’s deep and problematic ties to convicted slumlord and notorious political fixer Antoin “Tony” Rezko.
Also listen to our NQR Radio Show entitled “READING REZKO with Truthteller and SusanUnPC”
A mere 63 resources? My you guys got to write more!
Seriously: this is transcending good. It’s become what the MSM should be. NQ that is. Kudos!
A report from the trib that Rezko is CONSIDERING cooperating with Feds and Fitzpatrick does not lead to the conclulsion that he is now doing that.
There are a myriad of other witnesses out there who
are connected with the combine, with Rezko and
Daley and Blagojevich. Something needs to pan out here. Fitzpatrick needs to get off he ass and make things happen. Waiting for Rezko to maybe open his ugly mouth is becoming really tiresome.
People who don’t want to talk simply don’t talk. Period. Not in Chicago they don’t.
The reason Rezko wrote that strange letter is to remind everyone he’s there and he has bills to pay.
And he doesn’t feel like spending the 100 plus years of his sentence without others deserve the same fate.
I think Rezko won’t say anything bad about Obama before the election hoping that Obama will be elected and pardon him. He will talk for lesser sentencing only if Obama is not elected.
I’d be happy with at least that. One of my fears is that Obama will lose and no one will ever know just how corrupt Barfy is.
His sentencing on the remaining counts he was found guilty on is scheduled for October 28…a week before the election…
Obama wouldn’t pardon him….at least not straightaway. He’d wait until after he ran for reelection, at a minimum.
people don’t consider whether they will cooperate with the government. if they meet after conviction, they are cooperating. the only if in this is whether rezko is telling them all he knows. and whether the govt will ask the judge to reduce the sentence accordingly. if he is holding back, the govt won’t ask for the reduction.
right now if there is a dispute between the govt and rezko is whether he is holding back.
rezko is not some low level perp. he has info the feds can use. no lawyer worth their salt brings a def in to see a prosecutor after a conviction unless he has already decided to cooperate.
It’s not October yet, Kelvinator…
Kelvin…how come plastic Jesus can’t even get votes from the Black Caucus…
Please get back to us on that…
Get ready for the bot onslaught. Oh, so worried. Please ignore and do not feed. No point in letting them control the thread. Discipline people!
Slightlt OT and just because I saw it on Fox a few minutes ago. Hume reporting on the MO Truth Squad story! Yea! Let it spread. Send the Goebbels squad a message directly..addresses on earlier thread.
Chump change…thy name is Obama.
..well ya know -where there is smoke, there is fire. Gettin’ so dam smokey around Chicago lately, I can’t breathe !
*cough*
The Great Chicago Fire Part Deux. Let’s hope someone lights it up very soon.
Two days until October 1st ….
Well Chicago did get named as the most polluted city in the country.
I’ll bet the Black Caucus voted no because ACORN was carved out of the agreement…a source of income and campaign donations for them and many other Dems. What a bunch of traitors.
Can I take that bet with you AnnieCarmel?!! These guys are UNbelievable!
Ha!
I guess we are “clinging” now! Those that drank the freakin Kool-aid will never ackowledge that Obama is and always was a “Fatally Flawed” candidate!
i wonder what excuse they will give when he is finally indicted for his crimes?
RD2, there will be many excuses. Expect them.
I only hope and pray that Mr. Rezko is safe and sound long enough to testify. As much as I dislike B.O. as a political candidate, I do not think he is evil. However, I do feel he has many hangerson who have their own designs on him and will do anything to protect their vested interests.
Thank God for the Witness Protection Program.
so you think it’s ok that Obama stole the nomination from Hillary Clinton, is friends w a terrorist who killed many innocent people and is mixed up in all sorts of fraudulent government money grabbing schemes? What exactly is your definition of evil then??
Rezko’s safe alright. He surrended in court rather than risk being out on bail. He didn’t even tell his lawyers before he ‘volutarily’ remained in possession of the court. Sounds like a shrewd, carefo ul and scared man. But with folks like the Chicago Combine - a crook can’t be too careful.
Rezko’s safe alright. He surrended in court rather than risk being out on bail. He didn’t even tell his lawyers before he ‘volutarily’ remained in possession of the court. Sounds like a shrewd, careful and scared man. But with folks like the Chicago Combine - a crook can’t be too careful.
I see hate in his eyes, anyone who could let live babies die from neglect…pfft
Why it’ll be…
…racism!
Find some actual proveable offenses and I won’t make any excuses. Bear in mind, however, that allegations from convicted felons looking to cut deals to benefit themselves are suspect until corroborated by evidence. So far I haven’t even heard specific allegations.
Why are you replying to me? For future reference, you need to check to whom you are responding.
Sorry about that. The blockquote wasn’t showing till after I’d posted.
Not a problem. I’ve done it before, too.
There is one serious felony I KNOW Obama committed:
Conspiracy to Defraud A Federally Insured Lender
Anyone who knowingly falsifies information on a loan application has conspired with the other parties to lie to the Insuring party, the Federal Government.
I KNOW he did this crime… no doubt is possible.
Hmmmm…dragon I bet they blame Clinton…they do for everything anyway….no ?
Truthteller omits two key phrases: “has met with federal prosecutors and is considering cooperating in the corruption probe of the governor’s administration” and “Rezko’s trial this year laid bare a culture of scams, bribes and backroom deals stretching from City Hall to the Statehouse“. I really doubt this is going beyond Governor Blagojevich and his administration.
Obama worked in the state house during the time in question. you apparently did not read my discussion of obama’s role on the state senate pensions and investments committee.
i recommend you read and reread the diary. and i recommend you read and reread all the articles listed in my essay.
But he was not part of the governor’s administration. The article you used to build your case just sounds like Fitz is going after Rod, although I am positive based on Fitz’s history that he won’t hesitate to indict Obama if he finds wrongdoing. I hope this doesn’t blow any tiny little minds but if Obama did something illegal, he should suffer the consequences. I don’t think you’ve proven your case yet by any stretch but I will wait to see what arises from a real prosecutor’s case.
Whenever Blago got money so did Obama.
Sing it to me Tony!
I did, for I mention how prosecutors were investigating Obama. Indeed, they sought permission to summon witnesses to testify about Obama. And Obama was mentioned in the indictment and in the proffer of evidence.
Give it up Blue. Your Messiah is caught on tape alone with the rest of the Combine. You need to catch up on your READING. The Feds and state officials turned one of the guys in the case and hot-wired him every time he made a money drop.
Read it. Its not fiction. Its just that the NO INFORMATION MAINSTREAM MEDIA is responsible for the LOW INFORMATION VOTERS such as yourself.
Rezko raised well over $250,000 for Obama, that’s quite a bit for state Elections. Rezko got the money from Nadhmi Auchi to help Obama get his Mansion by buying the vacant lot for $625,000. Obama would write letters in support of Rezko’s Slum Projects getting State money, Rezko got more than $14 million. Tony Rezko was more than some guy Obama did 5 hours of legal work for, without Rezko and Ayers Obama would still be nowhere.
BlueBalls,
You are soooooo far behind the curve in this data stream that you’d have to register at a university for a 400 series class just to catch up. Add in the fact that you’re an arrogant prick with your head up your ass and it wastes too much time just getting you up to speed.
If you can’t elaborate on the sequence of events which led to Barry’s buying his house, you are just plain useless.
Come back when you have something to offer, not this pablum you call discourse.
You are tiring and particularly obtuse.
GFY
Evelyn Pringle’s articles are the best I’ve seen on the Combine, Rezko, Obama, Blagojevich and the entire gang of thieves.
I couldn’t agree more, I had spent weeks researching the Obamessiah through old Chicago newspaper articles and many websites to find the information packaged so neatly in her articles.
Annie…..
That is EXACTLY why the Black Caucus voted against it!
Or maybe it’s because they’re supposed to represent their constituents who opposed the bill be a 90-10 margin. Still, Obama delivered a majority of Dems while McCain failed to deliver a majority or Reps - for a bill introduced by a Rep President and administration. Ooops! There I go again with those pesky facts!
I thought WhoSain Obama was a post partisan type of guy that reaches out to both sides of the aisles. Why didn’t he bring some GOPers on board? Why is it up to McCain to do Pelosi/Reid/Obama’s heavy lifting?
Obama doesn’t even reach out to democrats who disagree with him.
You’re right, Obama is Bush III!
So Blue Intrigue, is it that you are not willing to do your homework in this matter or that you don’t grasp the material presented?
Let me ask you, what is the worst thing BO has done?
You have plenty rhetorical for McCain but you are apparently unable to think critically about your candidate.
Personally, I am thrilled that they did not pass this crap. I know I am perhaps in the minority here but, Obama was up to his “eyeballs” in this as are all of BO corporate patrons and sponsors. And being that he is the most prolific pig at Fanny and Wall streets’ trough how does that sit with you?
Please look at this. This shows on video the dems blocking the republican effort to regulate Fannie and Freddie.
This needs to be linked everywhere. Bombard the media.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs
This needs to be sent to Pelosi, so that she shuts her partisan mouth once and for all.
I wrote her earlier…
r-dub,
You have to write to her intern if you’re going to use words with three syllables. The intern, experienced in re-phrasing will pass along your thoughts.
(Any three syllable word to her means “Pelosi”)
Hannity showed the video tonight on his show.
But your master already took credit for the compromise. Then it went in the toilet. I guess Oblokchead should shut his flapper, huh?
Pesky facts, indeed.
Apparently you missed this article on Politico:
McCain takes credit for bill before it loses.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/14088.html
Yes, pesky facts indeed.
Facts or twisted, biased reporting?
This article’s title does not live up to the hype… the bragging comment by the reporter gives away his bias upfront… not too intelligent.
This reporter is really stretching it.
you obviously failed to understand my article. i recommend you read and reread it until its full import and significance is comprehended.
Truthteller,
Sorry, I should have been more clear, I was responding to the troll, blue intrigue and it’s “pesky facts” article at Politico.
I did not intend to make it appear that I was questioning you. I know that you are here because the MSM is failing to do it’s job. I admire your work and consider you and all NQ posters patriots.
Keep up the good work!
I hope Rezko sings like a nightingale for all the world to hear, and I hope to hear about it from you!
keep in mind , this shit didnt happen overnight, its been happening for years. the republicans saw this coming for years, tried to pass legislation to stop it and the dems voted against every attempt to regulate and oversee fannie and freddie. this was their agenda to begin with, to bring this country to its knees so the american public would vote for hope and change. they could care less about the country or its people. dean, pelosi, reed, et al should be hung from the nearest tree on the whitehouse lawn and set on fire as they breathe there last breath. guess i shouldnt say hung, thats racist. oops, gotta go, here comes the truth squad’
Cruzer,
Compadre, nunca diga en voz alta las cosas sus susurros de corazón.
That people do things some see as treasonous requires very controlled response of wisdom and purpose. We can achieve all our goals at the ballot box.
I do agree though, my friend, that the things we dream and wish are ours to dream and wish.
Peace
You would think that Obama could bring more democrats on board.
90+ voted against the bill in a democrat controlled congress.
Pelosi and Obama both failed!!
Obama couldn’t find a way to unite a plug to a socket….he is not a leader.
Yep. He’d assign it to his lobotobots, who wouldn’t be able to do it, either.
It’s above his pay grade.
I guess someone forgot to call him, as he requested they do if they needed him.
What a loser. Did anyone listen to the interview that Amy Goodman had with Kucinich? He specifically stated that the protection for borrowers in bankruptcy was blocked by Obama…he did not want it in the bill. So, he talks about Main Street but his actions are for the benefit of Wall Street.
Obama is backed by the ultra-rich, like Soros and his Group of Internationalists. Take a look at the cash Obama has received from Wall Street, he gets the cash from the rich, who do you thionk he will look out for, not those chumps sending in $100.
Both of these candidates suck. The republicans accuse Nancy Pelosi of hurting their feelings as the reason why they changed their vote while 1.2 trillion dollars was lost in one day. That is a bit of money that are no longer in people’s pensions. Businesses are having a hard time getting short term loans to cover expenses. They couldn’t give a more reasoned answer for their no vote other than their feathers were ruffled?
I had a Tech-sergeant in SF who loved to tell each of us we couldn’t lead a platoon of drunk Marines to a whorehouse with a case of booze and a compass…
I always took offense to that. I would have Never needed a damn compass!
Unite is the very basis of terrorist Islam and Hope&Change are words used by Fidel Castro befoe he bamboozled the election and became dictator and took over Cuba in the early 60’s.
PUMA’s in Congress?
My Dem. rep. voted against. He’s in a very important Senate race here in CO against one of “W’s” favorites for the seat an absolute idiot rubber stamp for “W” is retiring from. He knows that we don’t think highly of politicians who make bad deals. But he’s also one of the real straight shooters. He actually voted against going into Irag when it was a very risky stance to take. (Unlike O, who didn’t have a vote and who could only give nice speeches.)
I don’t think he did it mostly for political reasons, though. I think he doesn’t want to vote for something that hasn’t been totally worked out properly.
He’s not a Pelosi, Reid, Dean type Dem.
RedDragon62: Thanks. F them. Traitors all.
Imagine this: Michelle L Obama and her geek, Barry, strutting their stuff in handcuffs. Sweet.
Shame the MSM won’t cover it though.
oh well…
They’ll HAVE TO cover it when Barky finally gets indicted.
They’d need more than handcuffs for Me-chelle, I’m afraid.
Do you suppose Obama will say, “i’ve got a bracelet tooooo!!!”?
ROFL. Not if he didn’t want a “dude-don’t-taze-me” moment.
Oops–that would be “don’t-taze-me-bro” moment.
HaahhhHHHHaaaa! yep, matching bracelets!!!
The last time I saw a picture of Mechelle she was in a striped dress, reminiscent of prison garb, the old fashioned kind. Someone needs to tell her, with her big big big hips she should not wear strips that go around and around and around.
“with her big big big hips”
no need for euphemisms, the Obama camp did not even attempt civility with Hillary, so say straight out….with her big, big, big, ass.
I am no fan of Michelle, but this talk doesn’t get up anywhere. I don’t really ever read posts making lots of fun of what males where or what they look like. It is offensive and beside the point.
Sorry, no offense intended. But, really, I offend MSM jerk male bodies all the time and no one hoots. Let’s not take this political correctness too far, it stifles….notice I prefaced with the incivility to Hillary.
I agree. Best to leave spouses, even ones that say stupid things, out of the discussion, they are not on the ballot.
Nor are children.
Lou Dobbs On Obama connections to ACORN coming up