This will get interesting next 4 months--not really fair for Obama on timing but he will be small potato in Illinois corruption by time this is over IMO
Was looking @ yahoo top stories from Reuters-Ap ect to find more info since trial started yesterday--but can't seem to find any coverage under their top stories link:shrug:
http://news.yahoo.com/i/716;_ylt=AjL0y54_bMnCwsUtnH1Ur6kE1vAI
CHICAGO ?
Real estate developer Antoin "Tony" Rezko is on trial in a Chicago federal courtroom on political corruption charges for allegedly buying influence with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration.
Rezko doesn't deny his role as a high-powered money man for major Democrats ? including presidential candidate Barack Obama when Obama served in the Illinois Legislature ? but he refutes prosecutors allegations that he tried to shake down companies that wanted to do business with the state.
FOX News producer Marla Cichowski is in the courtroom, following minute-by-minute developments. Here are her reports.
Thursday, March 6
(6:46 p.m. ET)
During his opening statement to the jury, Tony Rezko's attorney described his client as a family man who came to the U.S. from Syria to pursue the American dream, eventually achieving that dream as a successful businessman.
Rezko is on trial in federal court accused of 15 counts of fraud, money laundering, aiding and abetting bribery and attempted extortion of a Hollywood movie producer, Tom Rosenberg (Million Dollar Baby).
Rezko was indicted in October 2006, accused of soliciting kickbacks from companies seeking state pension business. Rezko has a strong reputation in Illinois for being a political fixer. He's donated thousands of dollars to Illinois political campaigns, including U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.Lead defense attorney, Joe Duffy, says Rezko has a long list of friends in Illinois politics including Obama. Duffy told the jury, "Tony Rezko met Barack Obama when Obama was a student at Harvard law school and he (Rezko) offered him a job with his business," which Obama declined. "Tony was a friend and supported Obama through the years."
By far the bulk of what Duffy said focused on one man; Stuart Levine. Levine was indicted with Rezko but has since plead guilty to corruption charges and will testify against Rezko during the trial, as the government's star witness.
The problem ? Levine has a dark past including years of serious drug abuse. "He has two decades of drug use ... cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy and Special K ? a horse tranquilizer ? were his drugs of choice." Duffy told jurors they will hear testimony about how Levine would "lock himself in his office to snort coke and crystal meth," and spent $100,000 on drugs.
Essentially, Rezko's attorneys are trying to convince the jury that Levine was the bad guy, cutting fraudulent deals behind closed doors while Rezko did nothing wrong.
The first witness to take the stand was Kelly Glynn, the former campaign finance director for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign in 2002. (Currently she is the campaign finance director for the DSCC)
She testified that Tony Rezko was a top fundraiser for Blagojevich, describing him as one of the top three contributors to the governor's campaign in 2002.
Other witnesses include an Illinois FBI Agent and the former general counsel to Gov. Blagojevich.
The jury of 11 women and seven men appeared engaged, taking notes throughout the testimony. Jurors have the day off tomorrow because the judge announced court is not in session Friday. Testimony resumes Monday morning at 9:15 a.m. CT.
Rezko's family filled two rows in the courtroom. After court let out for the day Rezko's wife talked with family in the hallway. During a phone conversation she could be heard saying, "It was a good first day, a bit long but good. I'm exhausted. But I'll be here for the next 10 weeks."
The Rezko trial is expected to last three to four months.
(3:36 p.m. ET)
Barack Obama's name was mentioned twice during defense attorney Joe Duffy's opening statement.
Duffy told the jury that Rezko had many friends in Illinois politics, too many to name. But he did name Obama and said how Rezko met the Democratic presidential candidate at Harvard Law School and how he offered Obama a job.
The first government witness to come to the stand was Kelly Glynn, former campaign finance director for Gov. Blagojevich's 20002 campaign. She is now the finance director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
(2:12 p.m. ET ? Summary During a Lunch Break)
Opening statements in the federal corruption trial of Chicago developer Tony Rezko started two hours late because one of the 18 jurors did not show up to court on time.
The jury consists of 11 women and seven men, 12 jurors and 6 alternates. They began the trial by listening to opening statements from U.S. Attorney Carrie Hamilton.
Rezko was indicted in October 2006 accused of soliciting kickbacks from companies seeking state pension business. Rezko has a strong reputation in Illinois for being a political fixer. He's donated thousands of dollars to Illinois political campaigns, including Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama. Obama's campaign says it has returned all of the money, approximately $150,000, donated by Rezko.
Hamilton told the jury, "This case is about the violation of public trust. ... This is a pay-to-play scheme. The government will prove to you that Rezko and his insiders' decisions were corrupted and were not made in the best interest of the public. They tried to control millions of dollars."
The government used detailed visual aides to show the jury how Rezko ? "the man behind the curtain pulling the strings" ? and his insider friend, Stuart Levine (who will testify against Rezko during the trial), attempted to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars into their own pockets.
After about an hour, Hamilton wrapped up by saying: "Over the next few weeks we will present you with evidence to prove the decisions being made were made in the best interest of Mr. Rezko and Mr. Levine, evidence that will leave you with the only possible verdict, guilty as charged on all counts."
During the lunch break, jurors and Rezko's family members scattered throughout the federal courthouse, some going to the second floor cafeteria for lunch, others going outside to get a breath of fresh air. While walking through the lobby of the courthouse, Rezko's daughter was taken aback by the dozen or so television cameras assembled. She said to her brother, "Oh, snap!"
Rezko's attorney, Joe Duffy, will give his opening statement to the jury after lunch, beginning at 2:15 p.m. ET.
(12:57 p.m. ET)
Opening statements are underway. Prosecutor Carrie Hamilton is speaking now, referring to Rezko as "the man behind the curtain pulling the strings"
"This case is about violation of public trust," she told jurors.
(10:17 a.m. ET)
The media was just informed one juror is missing and opening statements will be delayed about an hour.
Approximately 30 members of the media are inside the courtroom (including FOX News). All other media ? at least another 30 ? are in an overflow room.
Rezko's family and friends are taking up two full rows in the courtroom on the defense side (16 people total).
(9:45 a.m. ET)
Line to get in the courtroom is now 40-50+ deep.
Bailiff handed out tickets to first 40 people in line to reserve a seat in the courtroom. The rest will have to sit in the media overflow room upstairs on the 17th floor, where there is an audio and video feed of the trial.
Tony Rezko's family members will sit in the second row on the defense side of the courtroom. At least 10 relatives are here, including Rezko's wife and children.
Opening statements are slated to start at 10:00 a.m. ET, but will probably be delayed considering everyone has yet to be let inside the courtroom.
(8:45 a.m. ET)
The line of people waiting to get into Judge St. Eve's courtroom is at least 20 people deep.
Was looking @ yahoo top stories from Reuters-Ap ect to find more info since trial started yesterday--but can't seem to find any coverage under their top stories link:shrug:
http://news.yahoo.com/i/716;_ylt=AjL0y54_bMnCwsUtnH1Ur6kE1vAI
CHICAGO ?
Real estate developer Antoin "Tony" Rezko is on trial in a Chicago federal courtroom on political corruption charges for allegedly buying influence with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration.
Rezko doesn't deny his role as a high-powered money man for major Democrats ? including presidential candidate Barack Obama when Obama served in the Illinois Legislature ? but he refutes prosecutors allegations that he tried to shake down companies that wanted to do business with the state.
FOX News producer Marla Cichowski is in the courtroom, following minute-by-minute developments. Here are her reports.
Thursday, March 6
(6:46 p.m. ET)
During his opening statement to the jury, Tony Rezko's attorney described his client as a family man who came to the U.S. from Syria to pursue the American dream, eventually achieving that dream as a successful businessman.
Rezko is on trial in federal court accused of 15 counts of fraud, money laundering, aiding and abetting bribery and attempted extortion of a Hollywood movie producer, Tom Rosenberg (Million Dollar Baby).
Rezko was indicted in October 2006, accused of soliciting kickbacks from companies seeking state pension business. Rezko has a strong reputation in Illinois for being a political fixer. He's donated thousands of dollars to Illinois political campaigns, including U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.Lead defense attorney, Joe Duffy, says Rezko has a long list of friends in Illinois politics including Obama. Duffy told the jury, "Tony Rezko met Barack Obama when Obama was a student at Harvard law school and he (Rezko) offered him a job with his business," which Obama declined. "Tony was a friend and supported Obama through the years."
By far the bulk of what Duffy said focused on one man; Stuart Levine. Levine was indicted with Rezko but has since plead guilty to corruption charges and will testify against Rezko during the trial, as the government's star witness.
The problem ? Levine has a dark past including years of serious drug abuse. "He has two decades of drug use ... cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy and Special K ? a horse tranquilizer ? were his drugs of choice." Duffy told jurors they will hear testimony about how Levine would "lock himself in his office to snort coke and crystal meth," and spent $100,000 on drugs.
Essentially, Rezko's attorneys are trying to convince the jury that Levine was the bad guy, cutting fraudulent deals behind closed doors while Rezko did nothing wrong.
The first witness to take the stand was Kelly Glynn, the former campaign finance director for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign in 2002. (Currently she is the campaign finance director for the DSCC)
She testified that Tony Rezko was a top fundraiser for Blagojevich, describing him as one of the top three contributors to the governor's campaign in 2002.
Other witnesses include an Illinois FBI Agent and the former general counsel to Gov. Blagojevich.
The jury of 11 women and seven men appeared engaged, taking notes throughout the testimony. Jurors have the day off tomorrow because the judge announced court is not in session Friday. Testimony resumes Monday morning at 9:15 a.m. CT.
Rezko's family filled two rows in the courtroom. After court let out for the day Rezko's wife talked with family in the hallway. During a phone conversation she could be heard saying, "It was a good first day, a bit long but good. I'm exhausted. But I'll be here for the next 10 weeks."
The Rezko trial is expected to last three to four months.
(3:36 p.m. ET)
Barack Obama's name was mentioned twice during defense attorney Joe Duffy's opening statement.
Duffy told the jury that Rezko had many friends in Illinois politics, too many to name. But he did name Obama and said how Rezko met the Democratic presidential candidate at Harvard Law School and how he offered Obama a job.
The first government witness to come to the stand was Kelly Glynn, former campaign finance director for Gov. Blagojevich's 20002 campaign. She is now the finance director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
(2:12 p.m. ET ? Summary During a Lunch Break)
Opening statements in the federal corruption trial of Chicago developer Tony Rezko started two hours late because one of the 18 jurors did not show up to court on time.
The jury consists of 11 women and seven men, 12 jurors and 6 alternates. They began the trial by listening to opening statements from U.S. Attorney Carrie Hamilton.
Rezko was indicted in October 2006 accused of soliciting kickbacks from companies seeking state pension business. Rezko has a strong reputation in Illinois for being a political fixer. He's donated thousands of dollars to Illinois political campaigns, including Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama. Obama's campaign says it has returned all of the money, approximately $150,000, donated by Rezko.
Hamilton told the jury, "This case is about the violation of public trust. ... This is a pay-to-play scheme. The government will prove to you that Rezko and his insiders' decisions were corrupted and were not made in the best interest of the public. They tried to control millions of dollars."
The government used detailed visual aides to show the jury how Rezko ? "the man behind the curtain pulling the strings" ? and his insider friend, Stuart Levine (who will testify against Rezko during the trial), attempted to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars into their own pockets.
After about an hour, Hamilton wrapped up by saying: "Over the next few weeks we will present you with evidence to prove the decisions being made were made in the best interest of Mr. Rezko and Mr. Levine, evidence that will leave you with the only possible verdict, guilty as charged on all counts."
During the lunch break, jurors and Rezko's family members scattered throughout the federal courthouse, some going to the second floor cafeteria for lunch, others going outside to get a breath of fresh air. While walking through the lobby of the courthouse, Rezko's daughter was taken aback by the dozen or so television cameras assembled. She said to her brother, "Oh, snap!"
Rezko's attorney, Joe Duffy, will give his opening statement to the jury after lunch, beginning at 2:15 p.m. ET.
(12:57 p.m. ET)
Opening statements are underway. Prosecutor Carrie Hamilton is speaking now, referring to Rezko as "the man behind the curtain pulling the strings"
"This case is about violation of public trust," she told jurors.
(10:17 a.m. ET)
The media was just informed one juror is missing and opening statements will be delayed about an hour.
Approximately 30 members of the media are inside the courtroom (including FOX News). All other media ? at least another 30 ? are in an overflow room.
Rezko's family and friends are taking up two full rows in the courtroom on the defense side (16 people total).
(9:45 a.m. ET)
Line to get in the courtroom is now 40-50+ deep.
Bailiff handed out tickets to first 40 people in line to reserve a seat in the courtroom. The rest will have to sit in the media overflow room upstairs on the 17th floor, where there is an audio and video feed of the trial.
Tony Rezko's family members will sit in the second row on the defense side of the courtroom. At least 10 relatives are here, including Rezko's wife and children.
Opening statements are slated to start at 10:00 a.m. ET, but will probably be delayed considering everyone has yet to be let inside the courtroom.
(8:45 a.m. ET)
The line of people waiting to get into Judge St. Eve's courtroom is at least 20 people deep.
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