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RezkOctober

October 11, 2008 9:38 AM

"Your Honor, the prosecutors have been overzealous in pursuing a crime that never happened," wrote disgraced Chicago real estate magnate Antoin "Tony" Rezko to his judge a few months ago. "They are pressuring me to tell them the wrong things that I supposedly know about Gov. Blagojevich and Sen. Barack Obama."

What's interesting about this claim is that, according to press accounts, Rezko is now indeed talking to prosecutors.

What Rezko has to say is far more likely to impact Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whose administration is being investigated.

Not one witness at Rezko's trial said Obama did anything improper.

And yet ... what are prosecutors pressuring Rezko about? And now that Rezko's reportedly making like a canary, what song is he singing?

UPDATE: An Obama supporter helpfully points out that Rezko's lawyer Joseph Duffy has walked his client's letter back, saying that prosecutors never intimated it is investigating anything about Obama.

"I'm not aware of any impropriety related to Rezko and Obama," Duffy said, per the Chicago Tribune. "At no point has the government ever asked me a single question about Obama, or any wrongdoing involving Rezko and Obama."

- jpt

October 11, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (78)

User Comments

Let's see...during Rezko's trial,
We found both Blagojevich and Obama

1) BOTH were seen going to Rezko's mansion on numerous occasions when it was under surveillence just prior to the trial. (I thought Obama had only done 5 hrs of legal work for this "individual" - what's he doing at Rezko's mansion?)

2) BOTH helped Rezko set-up boards that would vote the way Rezko wanted them to - Blagojevich with the school pension board / Obama with the hospital board.

3) BOTH men suggested names for these boards to Rezko

4) BOTH men received "kickbacks" for their help.

5) BOTH men were at the dinner given in Nadhmi Auchi's honor and even toasted him...do some research on the IG investigation on Auchi or his links to Saddam. Obama also showed up to another party for him given at Rezko's mansion with Michelle. Isn't it funny that this is another person Obama claimed not to know until it was discovered there were some connections during the trial? Also, what is Fintrade (foreign company with both Auchi and his wife on the board) doing loaning money to an Obama fundraiser?

One of the better sites for information on the Rezko/Obama relationship - google "rezkowatch".

Will the media do a real investigation on Obama and his surrounding cast - David Axelrod - has he been talking a great deal to Ayers recently - did he get the divorce records from Obama's competition released during his earlier campaigns, did he have any role in Obama's decision to water down the Exelon legislation?
Valerie Jarrett-did she create the VP slot at Univ of Chicago for Michelle and what role did Axelrod and Jarrett play in the Urban Health Initiative there(patient dumping?)? If Obama really cared about blacks, would he support this or have allowed Rezko and Jarrett to run the "slums" that Hillary mentioned into such bad shape they were condemned and torn down? He makes alot of promises, but how many has he really kept?

Congressional Black Caucus-several of which told ACORN to get out and help them elect Obama...in Mendell's book "Obama:From Promise to Power"...Wright mentions having been with Obama at a CBC Event, where he said Obama was shocked at all the booze & promiscuity. First, I thought Obama didn't go to Wright for advice, so why was he at this event and the Million Man March with Wright and secondly, why did Obama still choose to join them...a group that isn't known for "unifying" people? (holding secret meetings from the only republican member, etc.)

When will the media really do some investigation into this man??

There's documented PROOF that Obama has LIED about each of the radical connections he has...why hasn't the media called him out on this or were they too busy trying to label Palin as breaking the law, when the report explicitly stated she DIDN'T, though Branchflower said he believes she wasn't ethical in her approach...really? This was the worst they found...that when they barely even slapped her brother in law on the wrist for tasering a 10 y/o and threatening her father, drinking on duty, etc...she wanted to know why he was still working as a trooper?

What exactly are Obama's accomplishments in Chicago? Chicago's own reporters have said he looked the other way with corruption...is that really what we need right now, when Obama was already #2 on the list of Fannie & Freddie donors?? What has he been doing for them to get that money?
He and other CBC members were addressed as "family" by Daniel Mudd (CEO - Fannie Mae) in 2004, when he asked them for help. Prior to 2006, when Congress was looking into Fannie/Freddie - DEMOCRATS were claiming there were no problems and it was a republian witch hunt...they were trying to lynch Raines?? Who has the judgement to lead...hint - it's not Barack Obama.

Posted by: Megan | Oct 12, 2008 11:36:51 AM

Of course Obama is involved but the democratic judges won't call Obama in to testify. Obama only knew crooks in his time that's how he got to be a senator. Playing dirty pool against the woman that was preparing to run against him and won the case. Of course he probably payed the judge. In 1995 Obama became involved with the bomber Ayers and pretended he didn't know he bombed this country. He wasn't 8 years old when he met him. This country don't don't need a president that was involved with terrorists and the people better wake up.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Oct 12, 2008 7:30:43 AM

Can I add to that Captain America? "Before I forget, I would like to say hello to Comrade Ayers and to tell him I really admire his work."

Posted by: RL in Illinois | Oct 11, 2008 11:25:31 PM

This just in from Hugo Chavez...

My friend, Obama, is indeed at risk with respect to the canary Rezko. My comrades, Obama endorsed Alexi Giannoulias for the position of State Treasurer despite his absence of credentials.

The reason was greed. You see, Alexi cut a deal with Obama whereby Obama would get a sweetheart loan from his family's bank in exchange for Obama's endorsement for Alexi, referred to as quid pro quo.

Alexi is also charged with sweetheart loan $11B deal to Michael Giorango, convicted bookmaker and prostitution ring master.

Comrades, the connection is that Rezko is singing about his joined-at-the-hip relationship between himself and the Giannoulias family and their bank.

Things could get quite ugly for Comrade Obama.

Posted by: Captain America | Oct 11, 2008 7:11:46 PM

Troopergate Inquiry finds Sarah Palin GUILTY.


Sarah Palin VIOLATED THE TRUST Alaskans placed in her and BROKE THE LAW as their governor when she fired a state official who had refused to dismiss her ex-brother-in-law from his job as a state trooper, according a legislative report released Friday night.

Ten republicans and four democrats were unanimous in adopting the findings (as they were in initiating the investigation.)


http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081011/pl_politico/14481_1

Posted by: Bob | Oct 11, 2008 5:50:01 PM

If Sarah Palin had the past Obama has, she'd be toast a long time ago. She never would have lasted a day.

'Nuff said.

Posted by: grassroots | Oct 11, 2008 4:47:37 PM

I've read on all that before, Brett.

I did see on a website, a birth certificate of a woman who was born in Hawaii, and she supplied hers, to compare with Baracks. They were very similar, but for two things. The state seal is missing from Obama's, and the serial, or ID number was blacked out on Obama's.

Some at that time, had speculated that the Obama campaign deliberately did that, and speculated that the birth certificate was that of his sisters, and not his. They just changed things around a bit.

I don't know what the truth is on any of that, but clarification and a resolution would come, if he'd just supply the documents. Especially the one showing he reapplied for citizenship on his return from Indonesia. It would be a simple open, and closed case....yet he refuses to show anything, other then that birth certificate.

That is why I don't trust. This isn't some job for president of picking out the pen colors at Microsoft. This is for the Presidency, and things just seem to be to easily passed off.

Posted by: Jeanie | Oct 11, 2008 4:18:04 PM

Check out American Thinker. Possible game changer!!!!

Posted by: brett | Oct 11, 2008 3:28:40 PM

If they're investigating Broadway Bank the it goes directly to Barack Obama. In 2006 Obama endorsed Alexi Giannoulias, a 29-year-old with NO political or legal experience for Illinois State Treasurer. Why would Obama fight for the neophyte and help him win election? Because the Giannoulias family owns and controls Broadway Bank, which made tons of campaign contributions to Obama's senate campaign. If the "politically-connected Illinois Bank" is Broadway the scandal will go right to Obama.

Posted by: Jeff | Oct 11, 2008 3:01:22 PM

Could Rezko be speaking singing about Alexi Giannoulias? He's the Illinois state treasurer that Obama endorsed when he ran for office despite no previous political experience. He's had business dealings with organized crime via his family's bank.

Oh, and he spoke at the Democtatic National Convention in support of Obama.

Posted by: Concerned | Oct 11, 2008 2:49:35 PM

Nicole - I think you're on to something. It's just too convenient that the economy suddenly does a nosedive right after McCain chooses Palin and his numbers soar. Immediately everything hits the fan about the economy so Obama's numbers soar. If someone is manipulating the market, it would be the most reprehensible, unAmerican action I can think of. This has cost millions of Americans their retirement funds, many their jobs and generally has been a terrorism of the American people.

Posted by: JKIR | Oct 11, 2008 2:38:11 PM

More like Rezkorgasm. And it didn't last long because the facts don't make the connections some are so desperately drooling and hoping they make. So it's like a hot date that's a flop.

Meanwhile, "as a freshman congressman in the early 1980s, John McCain did not disclose his connections to did not list his service on the board of the U.S. Council for World Freedom on mandatory congressional disclosure forms asking about positions he held outside government, a controversial group that was implicated in a secretive plot to supply arms to Nicaraguan militia groups during the Iran-Contra affair." Ken Vogel.

That's a senate ethics violation.

McCain also intervened on behalf of an indicted heroin smuggler. Before McCain's friend was a smuggler, he shot an unarmed black youth trying to protect his parents at an otherwise peaceful rally. That rally led to The 1965 Voting Rights Act.

That's a Civil Rights Issue.

Posted by: kravitz | Oct 11, 2008 2:34:03 PM

MM**** Obama really has no record, I'm not a McCain fan either but I simply am looseing any confidence I may have once had for Obama. He's done nothing he said he would!

Posted by: ynot | Oct 11, 2008 2:33:53 PM

People, we need to contact the FBI and get on this quick before we elect a dictator that will stop all investigations. Please act quickly and the people will have the facts. Prevent Obama from being elected and save our republic.

Posted by: Diane | Oct 11, 2008 2:29:26 PM

Marla

Really what is Obama's socialist agenda. You guys already want to call community service a socialist idea. I guess Catholics are socialist as well. I guess being "a man or woman for others" is a bit of a stretch to Republicans.

Posted by: MM | Oct 11, 2008 2:24:07 PM

ynot

Go ahead trust the other guy who has nothing but lied and distorted records throughout the campaign.

I know I am voting for "that one" in November.

Posted by: MM | Oct 11, 2008 2:22:07 PM

Belle Starr

Obama doesn't take federal lobbyist money. Any money taken from lenders comes from the employees which are most likely going to be laid off.

Posted by: MM | Oct 11, 2008 2:20:39 PM

This bothers me more than anything to think Obama and the democrats would collapse our economy to get elected. Plus these same lenders were big donators to Obama,Dodd and Frank.
-----
NObody's going to "investigate".

Posted by: Belle Starr | Oct 11, 2008 2:10:02 PM

I just dont trust Obama anymore! To many shady dealings and friends......

Posted by: ynot | Oct 11, 2008 1:55:01 PM

>>>have felt this for two weeks and blogged all over these boards has anyone else thought it strange the Lenders all PUBLICLY failed in the same week McCain was up in the polls? And Obama didn't even seem surprised or phased by any of it. He just calmly and cooly went on with his campaigning. This bothers me more than anything to think Obama and the democrats would collapse our economy to get elected.Plus these same lenders were big donators to Obama,Dodd and Frank. Just to coincidental for me. May-be NBC WILL INVESTIGATE. ---- I agree completely.

Posted by: Christie | Oct 11, 2008 1:51:22 PM

Bev You betcha. Obama appears so sneaky and manipulative to me I can't help but wonder whats really behind that smooth talking man.One thing I do know is Acorn,Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Barney Frank and Chris Dodd are all behind him. And this is proof enough for me to be suspect.

Posted by: conf1689 | Oct 11, 2008 1:41:15 PM

The ship called socialism is taking over our government and the Democratic Party with Senator Obama as captain is responsible. It will get much, much worse if Obama is elected.
Obama, Rezko, Ayers have much more in common than just living in the neighborhood. They have the same political agenda. Scary.

Posted by: Marla | Oct 11, 2008 1:34:14 PM

conf1689...into conspiracy theories much?

Short limb you are hanging from...back away from the Koolaide.

Obama/Biden '08

Posted by: Bev | Oct 11, 2008 1:32:46 PM

Jeanie ...Bush said some will go to jail if they are found short selling on Wall Street...nothing to do with Obama.

Posted by: Bev | Oct 11, 2008 1:28:53 PM

there is an article on this issue on Puma... very interesting. Just google PUMA, it's the second or third ne on the page...

Posted by: Barack Obapa | Oct 11, 2008 1:28:40 PM

Whoisbo I have felt this for two weeks and blogged all over these boards has anyone else thought it strange the Lenders all PUBLICLY failed in the same week McCain was up in the polls? And Obama didn't even seem surprised or phased by any of it. He just calmly and cooly went on with his campaigning. This bothers me more than anything to think Obama and the democrats would collapse our economy to get elected.Plus these same lenders were big donators to Obama,Dodd and Frank. Just to coincidental for me. May-be NBC WILL INVESTIGATE.

Posted by: conf1689 | Oct 11, 2008 1:27:59 PM

We are seeing our very own government being overtaken right in front of our eyes. Wake up and connect the dots.

Posted by: Christie | Oct 11, 2008 1:16:55 PM

I think the feds are pretty interested to Rezco for his ties to the man who use to be a part of Sadams oil for food program. It seems money from this man was loaned to Rezco about the time the Rezco-Obama real estate deal came about.

Posted by: david | Oct 11, 2008 1:09:43 PM

Is Obama's supporter billionaire Soros engaging in economic terrorism that caused the precipitous crash of the stock market in the last two weeks? The Hillary Clinton Discussion Forum thinks so.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Huckabee suspects the same thing, although he doesn't name any names.----------------------------I agree with both comments.

Posted by: Christie | Oct 11, 2008 1:09:34 PM

WhoisBO? I agree. Something is fishy. I was half listening yesterday when Bush gave a speech on the economy, and he mentioned something about people will go to prison, etc....but I didn't catch what he said.

I can totally see Reid, and Pelosi pulling a stunt to ensure Obama's win. They snuck in the ACORN stuff into the bail out, and Reid pulled that fast one, on the first bail out proposal, by inserting a new ban on offshore drilling, when the ban had been left to expire.

I guarantee if Obama' is elected, that ban will be enforced again, and gas prices will go higher than $4 a gallon.

I think there is something fishy with the stock market, and I think people are so afraid of that 28% capital gains tax, they're pulling their money out of the market, and their 401k's.

Posted by: Jeanie | Oct 11, 2008 1:06:57 PM

whoisBO
I saw the same interview. I ask someone the other day to please explain to me how in the world could 4 or even 5 percent of mortgage failures, regardless of how they were fiananced could cause a meltdown like this. To have an event like this to occur at a time like this is truley interesting.

Posted by: david | Oct 11, 2008 1:06:30 PM

There's a good article out today by Micheal Barone predicting the coming "0bama Thugocracy" based upon 0bama's pattern of Free Speech suppression and intimidation during this campaign.

So, my friends, speak up now, because soon, it will be illegal to criticize or highlight anything remotely negative about 0bama.

Posted by: Concerned in OH | Oct 11, 2008 1:06:06 PM

The Rezko story about him singing has been out for a month now. Just not on the msm's.

The Chicago Sun Times is keeping up on the story.

Seems Obama got a sweetheart deal thru a bank with mob ties, for a townhouse, at which time, with his salary, he couldn't really afford. According to the story.

A son who's family owns the bank, wanted to run for State Treasurey Secretary. He'd never voted before, and somehow won....and had the endorsement of Obama. According to the story, Chicago was shocked by this.

Rezko may not pin Obama directly to the story, but it seems they can tie Obama in, thru this family, that owns this bank, in Chicago. *shrugs*

Posted by: Jeanie | Oct 11, 2008 1:03:13 PM

Your snarky innuendo is not appreciated, Jake. "RezkOctober"? You're better than this.

Posted by: Lisa | Oct 11, 2008 1:02:50 PM

Jason, I believe there is something fishy going on with the stock market crash. Huckabee was just on Fox and said that he's spoken with someone high-ranking (but can't disclose their name) who believes that what's been occurring with the spiraling markets may be a form of "economic terrorism". Basically, the pattern that has occurred over the last 12 days is suspicious and that someone is deliberately manipulating the markets -- perhaps even from within the government!

The fact that this is occurring within weeks of the election and Obama appears to be benefiting Obama is done right fishy if you ask me. Not to mention Obama's surrogates, the rest of the Obama-Democrats and the MSM seem to be jumping for joy and almost rooting for it to get worse.

Posted by: whoisBO | Oct 11, 2008 12:45:23 PM

wonder if Huckabee will discuss his theory tonight on his show.

Posted by: Nicole | Oct 11, 2008 12:39:58 PM

Jason, I believe something fishy is going on with the stock market crash. Mike Huckabee was just on Fox and said that he's spoken with someone high-ranking (but can't disclose their name) who believes that what's been occurring with the spiraling markets may be a form of "economic terrorism". Basically, the pattern that has occurred over the last 12 days is suspicious and that someone is deliberately manipulating the markets -- perhaps even from within the government!

The fact that this is occurring within weeks of the election and Obama appears to be benefiting is no coincidence if you ask me. Not to mention his surrogates, the rest of the Obama-Democrats and the MSM almost seem to be jumping out of their seats over this--as if their rooting for it to get worse.

Posted by: SomethingfishyaboutBO | Oct 11, 2008 12:38:38 PM

Is Obama's supporter billionaire Soros engaging in economic terrorism that caused the precipitous crash of the stock market in the last two weeks? The Hillary Clinton Discussion Forum thinks so.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Huckabee suspects the same thing, although he doesn't name any names.

Posted by: Nicole | Oct 11, 2008 12:36:29 PM

Obama is shaping up to be a lyin', corrupt but slick individual. Witness his changing story re: Ayers.

If he wins, it'll be scary, but the ongoing investigations will make it all very entertaining.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
The MSM would never report it, don't forget.

Posted by: Nicole | Oct 11, 2008 12:33:17 PM

brett Same thing my stock broker told me. Called him Friday and he stated part of the big sell off is everybody is getting out of the market because Obama is not good for businesses. I am not making this up and I am assuming my stock broker is not lying and knows the reasons his clients are calling him to sell. Call me selfish or greedy but I do hope McCain gets in so my stock portfolio can go back up. Sorry I have two kids to put through college and don't think Obamas dream of kids going to community college for Free after 100 hours of Community service is going to fly. Unfortunately I didn't sell two weeks ago.After all I thought since Obama was so popular and everyone trusts him to get the economy back on track why would they clear out of the market?

Posted by: conf1689 | Oct 11, 2008 12:29:52 PM

Is Obama's supporter billionaire Soros engaging in economic terrorism that caused the precipitous crash of the stock market in the last two weeks? The Hillary Clinton Discussion Forum thinks so.

Posted by: jason | Oct 11, 2008 12:29:38 PM

Rezko will be Obama's Whitewater.

Posted by: Aaron Burr | Oct 11, 2008 12:23:11 PM

Obama is shaping up to be a lyin', corrupt but slick individual. Witness his changing story re: Ayers.

If he wins, it'll be scary, but the ongoing investigations will make it all very entertaining.

Posted by: GregInSeattle | Oct 11, 2008 12:19:31 PM

I'm shocked Obama had anything to do with Rezko. He's had such a good track record of dealing only with good people.LOL

Posted by: wayne | Oct 11, 2008 12:16:11 PM

Obama is shaping up to be a lyin', corrupt but slick individual. Witness his changing story re: Ayers.

If he wins, it'll be scary, but the ongoing investigations will make it all very entertaining.

Posted by: GregInSeattle | Oct 11, 2008 12:14:31 PM

Obama and his campaign is currently being investigated for: (1) ACORN voter Fraud . There IS a RICO investigation of ACORN and the Obama campaign underway. Federal agents are investigate ACORN, which has been funded with upwards of $800,000 in questionable donations from the Obama campaign (in what appears to be the expressed and explicit direction to engineer voter fraud in the general election). - (2) the Sun Times is reporting that prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is about to make a plea deal with Rezco that may finger Obama based on Obama's support of Alexi Giannoulias, the 30-year old State Treasurer of Illinois (who was elected only because Obama backed him). (3) ). There is a lot of activity in Chicago right now, with a lot of IRS agents looking into the finances coming in and out of this city, and across state lines (this was established on Monday when the GOP issued emergency press releases that much of Obama’s campaign contributions could very well be illegal foreign contributions - what appears to be deliberately poor record keeping designed to hide the true identities and monetary sources of online donors is at issue here.

Posted by: rally | Oct 11, 2008 12:13:44 PM

Well someone needs to alert the Hillbuzz then if this is not going to be about Obama. Might I just point out that there were all sorts of leaks about Fitzgerald when he was going after Libby. I think he mishandled that case, and I think he had better have all his T's crossed if he thinks he can nail Obama on this. Even if he gets Obama for this it will not be until after the election and if Obama is POTUS it will never see the light of day.

Regardless, it is just another shady deal that Obama has a connection too, but the mainstream media is going to ignore this along with everything else. You know I wonder if the media thinks that Obama is going to let them report whatever they want? So far, I have seen a good bit of intimidation out there regarding free speech, and the media may not like Obama quite so much as they think.

Posted by: freeus | Oct 11, 2008 11:58:24 AM

watch ur 401k become worthless as obama's impending presidency looms!!!! cheers!!

Posted by: brett | Oct 11, 2008 11:49:12 AM

JPT

Federal Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has already stated: "There is no alegation or evidence of any wrong doing on Barack Obama's part."

Is there a new Prosecutor ?

Can someone update me ?

Posted by: Aussie | Oct 11, 2008 11:41:49 AM

If Rezko goes to jail, obama will pardon him if elected, and all his cronies.

Posted by: Polly | Oct 11, 2008 11:40:39 AM

Barack Obama's track record on so-called "real issues" is no better than his track record on issues of character and judgment. The media's track record of conveying the facts to the public is a travesty of their claims about "the public's right to know."

Posted by: CrystalD | Oct 11, 2008 11:36:25 AM

Kellie: 10:45:12 And neither will Obama. Tony DID fix alot of things though. Strange, when that property was bought he was broke. Didn't Nadhmi Auchi wire money to Rezko a month before Obama bought the house? You do know who he is, don't you?

Change we can believe in.

Posted by: RL in Illinois | Oct 11, 2008 11:25:43 AM

McCain has to worry about Palin abusing her power if they get elected into office which is unlikely so he doesn't have to worry too much.

Posted by: Kathy | Oct 11, 2008 11:23:43 AM

Vanessa we shall see. I am not worried about it.

Posted by: OTown | Oct 11, 2008 11:19:19 AM

OTown

Yes its just funny that James Bopp, Jr. and his smeer machine hire extra bloggers to try to save the Republican party and all of the sudden there is a group of people pasting the same smeers all over the web about Obama on the day that the news deals with Sarah Palin being found guilty of Abussing her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act..

Posted by: Kellie | Oct 11, 2008 11:10:25 AM

OTown,

Excuses to the polls. The only time during the primaries the polls were wrong were for the NH primary. Beyond that... the polls were right on every state... in terms of whom would win.

And yes. Bush ran on a positive message as a "compassionate conservative" who would increase the size of US armed forces, cut taxes and improve education.

When's the last time the American people elected a negative candidate.

The Ayers tactic could have worked if McCain used it during the summer along w/ he Paris Hilton ads. Instead he choses to do it now in the middle of an economic crisis.

It comes off desperate and political. Even Republicans strategists have come to acknowledge McCain has fallen behind in states like Florida, Ohio, Virginia, and Nevada...where he once lead.

Posted by: Vanessa | Oct 11, 2008 11:09:37 AM

Dennis

Look up Trott and Trott and McCain shady truely shady!

Posted by: Kellie | Oct 11, 2008 11:03:42 AM

My College son has informed me he doesn't care who wins.Sad but true.So I asked if he doesn't care would he vote for McCain because I do care. He said yes. Don't know what happened two months ago he was for Obama. Did say his friends were voting for McCain though. Guess Obama should send Bruce Springstein to my sons college. May-be there all upset they didn't get the free concert.

Posted by: conf1689 | Oct 11, 2008 11:00:38 AM

According to the Chicago Sun Times

1. They met in 1990. Obama was a student at Harvard Law School and got an unsolicited job offer from Rezko, then a low-income housing developer in Chicago. Obama turned it down.

2. Obama took a job in 1993 with a small Chicago law firm, Davis Miner Barnhill, that represents developers -- primarily not-for-profit groups -- building low-income housing with government funds.

3. One of the firm's not-for-profit clients -- the Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Corp., co-founded by Obama's then-boss Allison Davis -- was partners with Rezko's company in a 1995 deal to convert an abandoned nursing home at 61st and Drexel into low-income apartments.

Altogether, Obama spent 32 hours on the project, according to the firm. Only five hours of that came after Rezko and WPIC became partners, the firm says. The rest of the future senator's time was helping WPIC strike the deal with Rezko. Rezko's company, Rezmar Corp., also partnered with the firm's clients in four later deals -- none of which involved Obama, according to the firm. In each deal, Rezmar "made the decisions for the joint venture," says William Miceli, an attorney with the firm.

4. In 1995, Obama began campaigning for a seat in the Illinois Senate. Among his earliest supporters: Rezko. Two Rezko companies donated a total of $2,000. Obama was elected in 1996 -- representing a district that included 11 of Rezko's 30 low-income housing projects.

5. Rezko's low-income housing empire began crumbling in 2001, when his company stopped making mortgage payments on the old nursing home that had been converted into apartments. The state foreclosed on the building -- which was in Obama's Illinois Senate district.

6. In 2003, Obama announced he was running for the U.S. Senate, and Rezko -- a member of his campaign finance committee -- held a lavish fund-raiser June 27, 2003, at his Wilmette mansion.

7. A few months after Obama became a U.S. senator, he and Rezko's wife, Rita, bought adjacent pieces of property from a doctor in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood -- a deal that has dogged Obama the last two years. The doctor sold the mansion to Obama for $1.65 million -- $300,000 below the asking price. Rezko's wife paid full price -- $625,000 -- for the adjacent vacant lot. The deals closed in June 2005. Six months later, Obama paid Rezko's wife $104,500 for a strip of her land, so he could have a bigger yard. At the time, it had been widely reported that Tony Rezko was under federal investigation. Questioned later about the timing of the Rezko deal, Obama called it "boneheaded" because people might think the Rezkos had done him a favor.

8. Eight months later -- in October 2006 -- Rezko was indicted on charges he solicited kickbacks from companies seeking state pension business under his friend Gov. Blagojevich. Federal prosecutors maintain that $10,000 from the alleged kickback scheme was donated to Obama's run for the U.S. Senate. Obama has given the money to charity.

Posted by: OTown | Oct 11, 2008 10:56:34 AM

Here is a question.

Why isn't McCain's long-time relationship with Fife Symington ever brought up? They shared an operative, Wes Gullett, who worked with both men and has been involved in a number of questionable deals.

I know "Chicago Politics" is a buzzword this cycle, but from what I can tell "Arizona Politics" is a cesspool that could replace Chicago if the issue was ever explored.

Cheers

Posted by: Dennis | Oct 11, 2008 10:56:07 AM

omentum Never mind I just researched it. Rezkos wife paid %625,000. for the lot. Boy do I wish the AP and other reporters could include all pertinent information in their reporting. I do get tired of having to keep looking up things myself. If they are going to report I wish they would quit only reporting what they want us to know. they do leave so many details out in my opinion.

Posted by: conf1689 | Oct 11, 2008 10:52:30 AM

THE TRIAL IS BEING DELAYED TO HELP OBAMA


CHICAGO TRIBUNE: In the first official sign that Antoin "Tony" Rezko and his lawyers are talking with federal prosecutors about his cooperation in corruption probes, the judge in his federal fraud case has been asked to delay his sentencing this month.

In a motion filed late Monday by prosecutors, the two sides ask that the Oct. 28 sentencing date for the former fundraiser and adviser to Gov. Rod Blagojevich be delayed indefinitely.

"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," says the motion written by Assistant U.S. Atty. Reid Schar.

The motion seeks a hearing to discuss the status of the case in December. U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve, who presided over Rezko's trial this year, was expected to hear the motion Wednesday.

A delay also would push Rezko's sentencing beyond the Nov. 4 presidential election, eliminating a possible focus on Rezko just days before the vote.

Posted by: OTown | Oct 11, 2008 10:45:52 AM

So sick of hearing about Rezko...

Is rezco going to fix the economy ?

Is rezko going to fix our health care ?

Obama brought a stip of land to build his girls a swing area... Big deal

Moving on.............

Posted by: Kellie | Oct 11, 2008 10:45:12 AM

Vanessa you said BUSH ran on a positive message??? Please. Bush was telling us we were in debt before he even took office. How is Obama message positive when he begins every speech with "These are terrible times" or "We are facing great challenges"

I guess it depends on what you are saying is positive. McCain has said more GOOD things about Americans than Obama has.

Posted by: OTown | Oct 11, 2008 10:38:03 AM

Vanessa,

Those polls really mean nothing. They called me and I told them I was undecided but I am voting for McCain.They also called people who said they are for Obama but are voting McCain.

Trust if you like but I wouldn't if I were you

Posted by: OTown | Oct 11, 2008 10:35:45 AM

OTown,

I say people have soured towards McCains. Obama has actually grown in the polls since the McCain camp began the character assassination.

McCain doesn't get it.

No one votes for an angry candidate.
Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, Bush. All ran on a positive message.

Posted by: Vanessa | Oct 11, 2008 10:30:09 AM

omentum No I don't feel stupid. Quite often it seems the AP leaves out many details in their reporting and I am always left wondering what the full story is. Sorry being a Realtor it's just a curiosity of mine to know what Rezkos wife paid for the lot. And a pertinent fact the Ap article left out in my opinion. I'll ask again. Does anyone know what she paid for the lot?

Posted by: conf1689 | Oct 11, 2008 10:17:50 AM

Jake, how is that responsible to IMPLY stuff without any proof, or as you said any indication whatsoever ?

There are MANY MANY things Rezko could be singing about that are way more likely than anything related to Obama since, as you said yourself, THERE NEVER WAS EVEN AN ACCUSATION Obama has ever done anything wrong.

Implying otherwise, even cheekily, just because you hope the shadow of an October surprise will keep the race interesting for the next three weeks is irresponsible.

You are here to report facts, which you do well, not "guesses" and supputations.

Posted by: Benjamin | Oct 11, 2008 10:17:45 AM

Judging from the people I have spoken with lately Obama will mostly not win. There are a lot of people who have soured on Obama, this prime time thing was the last straw for three people that I know.

The winner in all of this will be the media for finally telling the truth about Obama or at least presenting the facts in a way that makes people take a closer look at him.

Posted by: OTown | Oct 11, 2008 10:09:06 AM

Good ole boy deals go down like this on a DAILY basis. Now all of a sudden its a HUGE issue.

laughable.

Posted by: Omentum | Oct 11, 2008 10:07:22 AM

Greg

The ball has smacked them between the eyes and they are dazed and delusional.

There's no help for these folks.

Hopefully they will wake up on November 5th. The will finally see that their efforts were futile and idiotic.

Posted by: Omentum | Oct 11, 2008 10:05:19 AM

confl168

don't you feel stupid.


Posted by: Omentum | Oct 11, 2008 10:02:03 AM

Danny Gorski

Dont shoot the messenger.

Posted by: Omentum | Oct 11, 2008 10:00:16 AM

Uh...this is old news. Everyone knows about the land deal. No one cares.

Obama came out and said it was a dumb move waaaaay back then.

More important things are happening RIGHT NOW! Like Palin being found guilty in the ethics investigation. That happening TODAY!

Eye on the ball people...eye on the ball.

Posted by: Greg in MN | Oct 11, 2008 9:59:07 AM

The prosecutors are likely Republicans.

I'm sure if Obama did any wrong doings Sean Hannity would have the details by now.

Posted by: Vanessa | Oct 11, 2008 9:57:44 AM

huh?

Posted by: mudge007 | Oct 11, 2008 9:53:23 AM


The news are out. We all now know
about Palin. She looks like old
politics.
Her credibility has been shot
down. She is now more of a liability than an asset!

Posted by: FM | Oct 11, 2008 9:51:09 AM

I read the AP press article Obama paid $104,000. for a 10ft. strip of land of the lot next door to the house he had just purchaes. And the seller would only sell it to him if the lot next door went with it. So Rezkos wife bought the lot.Does anyone know how much Rezkos wife paid for the lot. AP article didn't mention this. Just curious?

Posted by: conf1689 | Oct 11, 2008 9:49:24 AM

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