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Political Fixer Rezko Arrested

January 28, 2008 10:45 AM

Politicalfixer_mn Illinois political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko was arrested by federal agents early this morning outside of his Wilmette home.

"Tony Rezko was arrested without incident at his home in Wilmette," FBI spokesman Tom Simon said. "It was pursuant to a warrant issued following a government motion to revoke his bond."

Rezko was taken into custody for an alleged bond violation, and the Chicago Tribune, who first reported the arrest, cites a source who said investigators had become concerned about "the movement of some of his finances."

Rezko, who is scheduled to go on trial on federal corruption charges next month, has numerous ties to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama who, as a lawyer, worked on several Rezko real estate deals and later received large campaign contributions from Rezko and his associates.   

In addition, Rezko played a role in Obama's purchase of a new home in 2005, at a time when Rezko was already reported to be under federal investigation. An ABC News analysis last week found Rezko and his associates had donated a little more than $185,000 to the Obama Senate and presidential campaigns. A spokesperson for Obama said $85,000 of that had been given to charity. Over the weekend, Obama said any additional funds found to be linked to Rezko would also be contributed to charity.   

This post has been updated.

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January 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (42)

User Comments

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Come on ABC, why don't you complete your statements. This is sounding like Bill Clinton wrote it. After your statement of "Rezko played a role in Obama's purchase of a new home in 2005, at a time when Rezko was already reported to be under federal investigation." Why not add the fact that the matter was investigated by authorities at the time and and no wrongdoing was found.

Posted by: gc | Jan 28, 2008 11:00:33 AM

Ahh Hilliary and Barack's money man goes to jail. And the Clinton convict alumni roster just got a little deeper.

Posted by: wake up! | Jan 28, 2008 11:19:26 AM

Rezno's "get out of jail free" card is Obama!

Posted by: me | Jan 28, 2008 11:50:47 AM

Well The Clintons can hide the fact they knew Rezko as well.We seen the Picture of Rezko and the Clintons standing together like old friends!

Posted by: Listen Up | Jan 28, 2008 12:00:27 PM

I have not been able to log onto abc news since I made the observation that Obama was an empty black suit. Curious. I believe th Obama's corruption in this article is the tip of the iceberg. I watched this author on CPAN, Shelby Steele a black author who wrote "The Bound Man," a book about Obama which conformed my observations. Obama will never win a national election and his candidacy is exactly what the GOP power brokers want as they will rip him to shreads. Obama is more interested in making history than leading this country. It is quite sad and I hope the American people wake up and vote for hillary Clinton.

Posted by: Sandra Lea | Jan 28, 2008 12:18:42 PM

Yes, here we go again. As soon as Obama tells the truth about Rezko the, the sooner he can drop out of the race.

Posted by: Gordo420247365 | Jan 28, 2008 12:24:21 PM

Still waiting for the rest of the media to pick up on the ABCNews story about all the money Rezko raised for Obama that the Obama campaign claims are ok. It also is interesting that the press will not look into the Rezko connection to Obama more and how it does not jive with what he said at the debate.

Posted by: Eric | Jan 28, 2008 12:25:24 PM

Well the person the Clintons said they dont know was arrested? is that whats there saying!

Posted by: Listen Up | Jan 28, 2008 12:57:05 PM

I guess Obama will blame the Clintons

Posted by: fddfv fffd | Jan 28, 2008 1:07:19 PM

ABC, thank you for being the only major media organization to give the public the actual facts rather than just the pro-Obama, anti-Hillary spin of CNN, FOX, and NBC. I had always been an NBC person (old history of trustworthy reporters, but that no longer applies) but have definitely switched to ABC. If it's during a time that only cable networks are on, I guess I'm out of luck. At least I can watch FOX for the laughs, knowing no intelligent person takes them seriously! But when I tune in CNN and MSNBC, I just become angry because of the blatant bias and the fact that some people actually believe them. I know they're making ratings plays, but maybe they'll learn when it backfires on them. I wish ABC had a cable network I could watch.Re Obama, I continue to think he's a crook. But he's obviously a very good one, as he has so many people fooled. I would like to think people will see the light before it's too late, but doubt it, especially given the biased media that prevent them from knowing the truth. If he gets the nomination, I expect more of the truth will come out and he will be destroyed by it. People forget that the Republicans had Congress and unleashed Ken Starr, etc., on the Clintons. If Obama somehow gets elected and is later revealed as a crook (with the help of the same corrupt media that are now pushing for him), Republicans could well take back the Congress in 2010 and get him impeached, indicted, etc. (And I doubt his successor would pardon him.) By the way, ABC, maybe we could see some investigation/reporting on the possible insider trading issues?

Posted by: so saddened | Jan 28, 2008 1:14:47 PM

Does Hillary still bring him up after she and Bill were exposed having taken several pictures with the guy whom she supposedly doesn't know???

What a liar????

Posted by: jason smith | Jan 28, 2008 1:25:23 PM

This guy is a political fixer...and bill and hillary have known him a long time....she needs to stop lying...her latest is "they haven't known him 17 yrs"....but maybe 16 1/2???? while she was on the board of walmart while promoting health care...when millions of Americans went uninsured.....nice, hill/billies....

Posted by: js | Jan 28, 2008 1:29:38 PM

Hillary is a liar...

she got defensive with matt laeur....insinuating it was alright to lie a little...since she was under attack....

But of course, matt, you didn't show what preceded what I said, which was a direct attack, one of several that was leveled against me by senator obama.

The difference being, Obama doesn't lie!!!!! you don't defend anything, you just lash out with lies...or pull some "dirt" out even from kindergarten!!!!!!to deflect people from knowing the truth....that is a major problem and the reason I won't vote for you!!!!

Posted by: js | Jan 28, 2008 1:32:40 PM

Matt Lauer goes on to show how rezko was a major contributor to the DNC and Bill's campaign in 2000, and then asks isn't it hypocritical to try to smear another candidate now???

Answer: yes it is hillary

Your version of change is in name only.

Posted by: js | Jan 28, 2008 1:34:41 PM

didn't i see a picture of hillery and this guy all posing nice nice like? Hmm, maybe she is crooked as i thought.

Posted by: nate | Jan 28, 2008 1:43:13 PM

Yep I knew Obama was a liar. Hes all about change , sure he is. He changes his mind, heck he just changed his mind about the illegals getting driversliences. he now wants to give them to them, and he gave Hillary so much grief about it. Want a loser. I don't want a person who lies to us and then says he didn't understand the question. I will vote republican if Obama gets the nomination.

Posted by: danw -austin | Jan 28, 2008 1:58:22 PM

This story is ridiculous, Obama has DONE NOTHING to warrant any question that his hands are completely clean, and he said he regrets buying land from this guy. I hate that the media twists something that is nothing into a big deal.

Posted by: Rachel | Jan 28, 2008 2:01:53 PM

My, my. Anyone surprised. Mr. Obama has not yet learned that it's never a good idea to get down and wrestle with pigs in the mud. You all get dirty, but the pigs like it.

The coming weeks and months have many more surprises about Mr. Obama to come.

It wouldn't be so annoying to find these things out about him, if he gave a normal speech and not something akin to sounding like a Sunday morning preacher.

Posted by: Mary Miles | Jan 28, 2008 2:15:29 PM

Friends, wake up. These are the friends of the Clintons. Are we suffering from Amnesia?

Posted by: Mark Odu | Jan 28, 2008 2:17:57 PM

I have switched to ABC THE ONLY BALANCED NETWORK. You are the only network to talk candidly and fearlessly about Rezko and Obama's dubious connection with him. Kudos to ABC :)

Posted by: Rekha | Jan 28, 2008 2:20:37 PM

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