Sun-Times Exclusive: Obama surfaces in Rekzo's federal corruption case

Source: sun times



Sun-Times Exclusive: Obama surfaces in Rekzo's federal corruption case

Source confirmed Obama is the unnamed "political candidate" referred to in document which outlines case against Rezko

January 19, 2008
BY DAVE MCKINNEY, NATASHA KORECKI, CHRIS FUSCO AND TIM NOVAK Staff Reporters

For the first time, Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama has surfaced in the federal corrupton case against his longtime campaign fund-raiser, Tony Rezko, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

The Illinois senator isn’t accused of any wrongdoing. And there’s no evidence Obama knew contributions to his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign came from schemes Rezko is accused of orchestrating.
...........
The allegations against Rezko that involve Obama are contained in one paragraph of a 78-page document filed last month in which prosecutors outline their corruption and fraud case against Rezko, who was also a key money man for Gov. Blagojevich and other politicians.

Rezko is set to go to trial Feb. 25. The revelation that Obama’s name could come up in court is a political headache he doesn’t need as he heads into a round of primaries that are likely to determine his party’s nomination for president.
.................

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.

A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald declined to comment.

Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/749138,obama20web.article

He's learning.

After news reports that Obama had engaged in a real estate transaction with Rezko’s wife at a time Tony Rezko was known to be under investigation, the senator called the episode “boneheaded” and “a mistake.”

What did you expect him to say? He got caught. He's marvelously charming and glib when he's caught.

BTW, whether Rezko was under investigation or not is a PR problem. The real estate deal? Something else entirely. But unless Rezko decides to sell him out, nobody's been able to prove it with concrete evidence.

I gave the particulars of the real estate deal to a California relative without giving location or names of the involved parties. His response? "Sounds like the Dukestir." That's Duke Cunningham, who is now in jail. THAT's how dirty and suspicious the details of that real estate deal are.

did to witnesses who wouldn't turn on the Clintons? Orange jumpsuits in America for political prisoners indeed.

I wondered how Obama did so well against our radio host Nancy. This article explains a great deal.

He got a house for 15% below asking that had been on the market a long time.
He is a chump. I got mine 23% below asking price.

Rezko buying the lot next door at the same time probably was a favor. I'd guess that the owner didn't want to sell just the house but the lot too and Obama couldn't afford them both. He's right that it was bone head.

If this is the least ethical thing he has done he is an ethical man.

You're making it sound a lot worse then it was. He says no favors were asked or given. If that's true...well it's only rather bonehead because of the appearance, not wrongdoing. They've been looking into this since autumn 2006, they wouldn't need Rezko "to sell him out" to find out if Obama pushed legislation through for him.
The Duke Cunningham comparison is ridiculous.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080120/ap_on_el_pr/obama_rezko_1

raising illegal funds for her?

Yes its true.

Clinton to Give Away Funds From Donor With Outstanding Warrant

Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton will donate to charity the $23,000 in direct contributions she has received from "Hillraiser" Norman Hsu, her campaign announced last night, citing concerns about published reports that Hsu faces an outstanding arrest warrant in California.

Hsu, who owns a number of New York clothing concerns, has over the past few years emerged as a major donor and fundraiser for numerous Democratic congressional candidates. But the bulk of his energies over the past year have been dedicated towards getting Clinton elected president.

A review of FEC records shows Hsu and people connected with him have given $119,000 to Clinton's various campaign committees starting in 2004. In an interview with the Post two weeks ago, Hsu said that while he had contributed to the senate campaigns of both Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, there was no question as to where his loyalties would be directed once the presidential contest got underway -- it was Clinton.

Over the past two days, published reports in The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times raised questions about Hsu's fundraising tactics and revealed that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest from a 1991 case in San Mateo County, Calif.. The case involved a single felony count of grand theft arising out of allegations he collected about $1 million from investors by falsely claiming he had a contract to import latex gloves. The arrest warrant was issued http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/08/29/clinton_to_donate_funds_from_h.htmlin 1992 and orders were for $2 million bail for Hsu if he were arrested.

the Clintonites would do well to take a lesson from the past...anyone remember Whitewater? Obama will survive this.

Amazing what will be left for the Pukes to digest on?

keep things close.

Forum Name General Discussion: Politics
Topic subject Obama Gives Away 'Questionable' Funds
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4124308#4124308
4124308, Obama Gives Away 'Questionable' Funds
Posted by cal04 on Sat Jan-19-08 08:51 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080120/ap_on_el_pr/obama_rezko_1

Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama is giving charity more than $40,000 in past political contributions linked to Chicago real estate developer and fast food magnate Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who is facing federal corruption charges, his campaign said Saturday.

The contributions are from seven individuals who contributed to Obama's House and Senate campaigns. None of the money was for his current presidential bid.

"Recent public information has called into question contributions to the Obama campaign from a donor and fundraiser," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement Saturday. "It is the policy and practice of the campaign to review all such new information and dispose of questionable funds such as the potential illegal 'straw donations' that campaigns, like other presidential campaigns this cycle, must address as new facts emerge.

"Our consistent practice in these circumstances is to give the funds to charity out of an abundance of caution," Burton said.

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Patrick Fitzgerald Ties Obama to Rezko Indictments
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2719916#2719916
2719916, Patrick Fitzgerald Ties Obama to Rezko Indictments
Posted by kpete on Sat Jan-19-08 01:12 PM

Sun-Times Exclusive: Obama surfaces in Rekzo's federal corruption case
Source confirmed Obama is the unnamed "political candidate" referred to in document which outlines case against Rezko

January 19, 2008

...................

The allegations against Rezko that involve Obama are contained in one paragraph of a 78-page document filed last month in which prosecutors outline their corruption and fraud case against Rezko, who was also a key money man for Gov. Blagojevich and other politicians.

Rezko is set to go to trial Feb. 25. The revelation that Obama’s name could come up in court is a political headache he doesn’t need as he heads into a round of primaries that are likely to determine his party’s nomination for president.

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.

A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald declined to comment.


more at:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/749138,obama20web.article

Has anyone else noted that this case is designed to bring down a lot of Democrats in Illinois, including the governor? Ask Don Siegelman about that.

read it again. I really hope that this is not the case.

IMHO this is nothing more then the Clinton War room at work... and now with Mcain being the Repukes frontrunner we will never win the WH unless Obama is our nom.

If Obama's smart, he'll contact the US Attorney's office, give a sworn statement, release it and move on. Who's advising him anyway? Didn't they see this coming? What I glean from the article is there was no wrong doing on his part. He may be glib but he's not stupid. It appears that Rezko did the deal. Obama had no part in it. To be fair, Hillary and Edwards have also had their fund-raising money scrutinized. Too bad we haven't heard much about the people funding the Republican candidates. Odd, isn't it?

I saw a misleading ABC report about ithe real estate deal last year (and Hillary supporters show You Tube version of it even now). I say misleading because they talk about his story changing but when you freeze the picture the quotes from papers they are referring to don't contradict each other at all.
I started checking it out. They've been investigating since autumn 2006 at least. If Obama was dirty we'd know.
Who is this unnamed source that names Obama in this part of it? Fitzgerald doesn't leak.

I have my suspicions about renewed interest in Obama's role
Like this

This opens up a window for the otherwise-scandal free Lee Mercer Jr. to seize the reins in this race!

screaming for his hide. And when it was Hillary, the Obamites WERE screaming for her hide.

As I said, interesting.

:eyes: