Fund Covers Obama's Rezko TiesIf you need a
primer on the Rezko deal, this covers well what is known so far.
"We have a sick political culture, and that's the environment Barack Obama came from," Jay Stewart, the executive director of the Chicago Better Government Association, told ABC News. He notes that, while Mr. Obama supported ethics reforms as a state senator, he has "been noticeably silent on the issue of corruption here in his home state, including at this point, mostly Democratic politicians."
Meanwhile, ABC News
is pointing out that Rezko's lawyers may subpoena Obama as a witness (please!):
But former prosecutor Fardon, now with the Chicago office of Latham & Watkins, says Rezko's defense lawyer could use Obama "to show that Mr. Rezko is somebody active in politics and political fundraising and there's nothing unto itself nefarious about that fact."
Translation: That's the way things get done in Chicago.
With all the focus on the Obama connection, the actual
details of the Rezko trial may be interesting.
Prosecutors allege that Rezko misused the power he gained from his prowess as a fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, scheming to extort kickbacks from firms seeking state business or regulatory approval. But Rezko's lawyers will attack the credibility of Stuart Levine, the government's key witness, questioning his memory of events because of his alleged heavy use of cocaine, crystal meth and other illegal drugs.
The article notes that Levine had a $25,000 a month (!) drug habit.
Labels: Barack Obama, Tony Rezko
