Antoin "Tony" Rezko, center, arrives at the Dirksen Federal Building for the reading of the verdict in his corruption trial. (Tribune photo by Chris Walker)
by Katie Fretland
Recently unsealed court documents show that federal prosecutors considered presenting more evidence about campaign contributions to Barack Obama at the trial of Antoin "Tony Rezko," but decided against it.
Rezko, a longtime contributor to Obama's previous campaigns and top adviser and fundraiser to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was convicted earlier this month on a list of corruption charges (wire and mail fraud, money laundering and aiding and abetting bribery).
Obama was not accused of any wrongdoing. The Democratic candidate for president has returned an estimated $250,000 in donations related to Rezko, who he considered a friend. Following Rezko's guilty verdict on multiple counts, Obama said he was saddened and that this was not the person he knew.
Several unsealed documents mention campaign contributions that were not brought up at trial. One document says Rezko asked employee, Elie Maloof, to contribute $10,000 to Obama and Rezko would reimburse him. Maloof understood that Rezko had already donated the maximum amount he could, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors also planned to present evidence that another employee, Joseph Aramanda, made a contribution to Obama, but did not have direct evidence that the contribution was made on behalf of Rezko.
Prosecutors also planned to call witnesses to testify that Rezko "has been a long-standing supporter and fundraiser for Barack Obama, including during Obama's 2004 campaign for the U.S. Senate," according to the documents.
To read more about the Rezko trial, see this article in the Chicago Tribune.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments
THEY SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT OUT MORE ABOUT OBAMA, TO HELP KEEP AMERICA FROM GETTING HOOD WINKED-
Posted by: George | June 30, 2008 9:40 AM
OK this is the cue for the mindless Obamabots to start repeating their mantra, "But he hasn't been charged with anything."
Unfortunately for them, that doesn't get rid of the foul stink of their candidate. Tony Rezko bankrolled Obama's political career from the beginning till his run for the US Senate. Obama "coincidently" [nudge, wink] did favors for Rezko.
Good luck selling a typical corrupt Chicago Machine pol to Middle America, 'bots.
Posted by: MJ | June 30, 2008 10:12 AM
Put up or shut up !! Oh, that's right, these are the Republicans looking for a way out of an honest campaign, let's undermined Senator Obama with innuendos, misinformation, and the real jewel in their crown, their lying !! There is nothing to the story, there has never been anything to the story, but, to listen to the Republicans, they have convicted Senator Obama, already, for deeds, undone !! The Republicans and their Lying machine, the Swift-boaters, are adrift, again, in a sea of lies and more lies !!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | June 30, 2008 10:38 AM
I wonder if a Republic talking point will be to bring attention to Rezko's Middle East roots? Typical fear mongering and xenophobic race baiting.
PS Rezko bankrolled Republicans. In fact he organized a fundraiser for Georg W. Bush's reelection. How come MJ doesn't talk about that?
Posted by: jo | June 30, 2008 10:46 AM
Rezko - this is part of the Obama's Judgement. His judgement, what we are supposed to vote for him since he has no experience.
Good to see Ghost Payroller FITZ signing in today.
Posted by: Terry | June 30, 2008 11:05 AM
"Rezko bankrolled Republicans. In fact he organized a fundraiser for Georg W. Bush's reelection. How come MJ doesn't talk about that?
Posted by: jo | June 30, 2008 10:46 AM
So you're point is that Obama is no different, is just as greedy and dishonest as ay other politician... and he doesn't represent any sort of real change whatsoever.
OK, I agree.
Posted by: MJ | June 30, 2008 11:09 AM
Here we go again - criticism of Obama = racism. Obama and Rezko are joined at the hip, just deal with it.
Posted by: Bemused | June 30, 2008 11:12 AM
MJ,
Obama bought a mansion for a bargain price. There was no illegal relationship. His contibutions were given away to charity. What did Republics do with Rezko money? Probably bought foi gras, caviar, and lobster tails.
Posted by: jo | June 30, 2008 11:43 AM
Leave OBAMA alone.Resko is past hysteria !!!!
Posted by: fernando canavati | June 30, 2008 12:11 PM
"Obama bought a mansion for a bargain price. There was no illegal relationship. His contibutions were given away to charity."
Posted by: jo | June 30, 2008 11:43 AM
You're missing the point. This isn't about the really sweet deal on a mansion. It's about a 17-plus year relationship in which Rezko or his associates/surrogates financed Obama's political career, while Obama did favors for Rezko.
Posted by: MJ | June 30, 2008 12:49 PM
MJ,
What favors did Obama do? I thought he was a do-nothing Senator. This is where your logic breaks down.
Posted by: jo | June 30, 2008 1:44 PM
Reason pross didn't "go there" on Obama was they were afraid of juror backlash.
Don't gratuitously attack, even obliquely, an enormously popular Favorite Son.
Not unless you want to jeopardize a conviction.
Add up all the contributions Rezz gave to various Obama elections over the years and what is the total??
Peanuts.
How much did Keating give to McCain???
Posted by: ornery | June 30, 2008 7:27 PM