Category Archives: Chicago Tribune

Obama health care, Chicago corruption, Obama and pals cheated Illinois citizens, Blagojevich, Rezko, Levine, Mercy hospital, Childrens hospital

Do you want the government running health care?

Is the government efficient?

How well will a health care system designed and run by corrupt individuals function?

We now have an illegal person occupying the white house.

Try to forget for a moment that Obama has hidden his past and refuses to present a legitimate long form birth certificate. Barack Obama should have been indicted and arrested for his part in crime and corruption in Chicago and Illinois along with his co conspirators, Rezko, Levin, Blagojevich, et al.
Would you trust Obama, et al with your and your family’s health care?

The Citizen Wells blog will be presenting a multi part detailed series on how Obama is well connected to crime and corruption in Chicago and Illinois and his part in rigging the IL Health Planning Facilities Board.
Here are a few facts for you to ponder as Obama’a “health care plan” is being debated.

In the photo below, Obama embracing his good buddy Tony Rezko, Obama during his  chairmanship of the Illinois Senate Health Services Committee and Obama shaking hands with Stuart Levine.

RezkoObamaLevine

From Journalist Evelyn Pringle:

Mercy hospital

“The Planning Board staff still recommended the rejection of Mercy’s proposal. On March 11, 2008, Jones told the jury that experts found the application failed to meet 18 criteria set up for the establishment of a new hospital. He said it was also too close to other hospitals that had too many empty beds and services not fully utilized.
The day before the vote in December 2003, Mercy hired the Chicago-based law firm of Gardner, Carton and Douglas. Gardner had donated $25,000 to Blagojevich in July 2003.

Although the application was rejected the first time, Mercy moved for reconsideration and won approval at the April 21, 2004 meeting. Beck testified that after the meeting, he and Levine drove to Rezko’s office to tell him the plan was approved and Rezko was there with Christopher Kelly.

Once approved, the plan was for co-schemer Jacob Kiferbaum to pad the construction costs on the hospital and pay the kickback through a bogus consulting contract with Levine’s business associate, Dr Robert Weinstein.
After helping set up the Planning Board, Dave Wilhelm became a consultant for Edward Hospital. Edward also wanted approval to build a new hospital. On April 9, 2008, Levine testified that he met with Wilhelm and another Edward lobbyist in the summer of 2003, and came away with the impression that Wilhelm’s contribution to the team was clout with the Blagojevich administration.”

From the Chicago Tribune Rezko trial transcripts Weeks 3 – 4

Childrens Hospital

“Children’s Memorial Hospital seen as potential shakedown target

March 21, 2008; 10:20 a.m.
The snow proved no deterrent to Friday’s session of the Antoin “Tony” Rezko corruption trial, and political fixer Stuart Levine is continuing his testimony for a fourth day.

Finally, and fleetingly, Rezko’s voice was heard on a government wiretap played for jurors.

The brief conversation was between Levine and Rezko on April 24, 2004, just three days after Levine said he and Rezko had rigged a vote of a state hospital planning board to approve a controversial hospital in Crystal Lake. Hospital contractor Jacob Kiferbaum was going to pay Levine and Rezko $1 million in bribes if the Crystal Lake facility won approval, Levine has testified.

Levine testified that he called Rezko on April 24 to set up a meeting to discuss their next shakedown target: Children’s Memorial Hospital. Just minutes before Levine called Rezko, Levine had hung up with a money manager from the investment banking firm Bear Stearns named Nicholas Hurtgen, who prosecutors say was a confederate in past Levine kickback schemes.

A recording of the conversation between Levine and Hurtgen was played for jurors and in it Hurtgen said he had learned that Children’s Memorial was looking to either remodel its aging Lincoln Park hospital or replace it with a new one in a different location. It was a potential $500-million job, Hurtgen said, and ripe for exploitation.

“This is made for Tony and Mr. C,” Hurtgen told Levine. Asked by prosecutors later to explain what that meant, Levine said Hurtgen was referring to Rezko and Republican political insider William Cellini, who were both accomplished real estate developers who might eye the Children’s Memorial property as a development opportunity if the hospital moved.

Hurtgen said any redevelopment or move would likely need government financial help, and he told Levine that could be their opening to impress upon Children’s Memorial that it needed to play ball. Levine told Hurtgen that he would make it a top priority to lk over the Children Memorial opportunity with Rezko.”

From Evelyn Pringle and the Rezko trial

Obama contact with Tony rezko

In the media, Obama always made it sound like he rarely saw Rezko, saying they met for breakfast or lunch once or twice a year. However, the FBI mole John Thomas helped investigators “build a record of repeat visits to the old offices of Rezko and former business partner Daniel Mahru’s Rezmar Corp., at 853 N. Elston, by Blagojevich and Obama during 2004 and 2005,“ according to the February 10, 2008 Sun-Times.

During his March 14, 2008 interview, the Times told Obama, Thomas is an FBI mole and he “recently told us that he saw you coming and going from Rezko’s office a lot.”

“And three other sources told us that you and Rezko spoke on the phone daily.””

From Evelyn Pringle

Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama’s job and salary

Obama’s introduction into the “Combine” came when his wife Michelle was hired by Jarrett in the early 1990s, and served as Jarrett’s assistant in Daley’s office and followed her to the Department of Planning and Development.
Jarrett was appointed chairman of the University of Chicago Medical Center Board in June 2006. She was also made chairman of a newly created Executive Committee of that Board, according to a June 13, 2006 University announcement. In addition, Jarrett was named vice-chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, the announcement states.
Michelle landed a high paying job at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Two months after Obama became a US senator, she was appointed vice president for community and external affairs. Tax returns show the promotion nearly tripled her pay to $317,000 in 2005, from $122,000 in 2004.

What you have just read is just the tip of the iceberg.

Stay tuned for more details.

Chicago Tribune Rezko trial transcripts:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-court-week1-story,0,4187820.story

Evelyn Pringle articles:

http://therealbarackobama.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/evelyn-pringles-operation-board-games-and-curtain-time-for-obama/

 

Blagojevich trial, Update, July 21, 2009, Alonzo Monk, Rezko co schemer, Blagojevich law school roommate, chief of staff, set to plead guilty at August 11 hearing

From the Chicago Tribune, July 20, 2009:

“Former Blago chief of staff postpones guilty plea”

“CHICAGO – An attorney accused of scheming with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to use the governor’s office as a vehicle for making money postponed Monday his plan to plead guilty to federal corruption charges.

Alonzo Monk, 50, Blagojevich’s law school roommate and first chief of staff in the governor’s office, is now set to plead guilty at an Aug. 11 hearing.

Monk attorney Michael J. Shepard of San Francisco declined to comment on the reason for the delay. Other attorneys in the case said there was no reason to suspect the snag was anything that couldn’t be ironed out.

The one-time chief of staff has been cooperating with federal prosecutors in hopes of getting a lighter sentence. Plea negotiations can be complicated and delays are common.”

“The indictment also says Monk schemed with Blagojevich, convicted influence peddler Tony Rezko and others to use the governor’s office to squeeze individuals wanting to do business with the state for payoffs.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-blagojevichindict,0,7994509.story

Larry Sinclair book, update, July 13, 2009, Barack Obama & Larry Sinclair Cocaine, Sex, Lies & Murder, Citizen Wells copy of book

Early in January of 2008, there were two things that I consistently stated to my friends.

1. I intended to be more involved in this presidential election.

2. I knew little about Barack Obama, a candidate who was increasingly gaining support. 

Shortly after stating this, I ran across a link on the internet to someone who purported to have engaged in sex and drug use with Obama in 1999. The allegation appeared to be nonsense, but I wanted to know more about this mysterious candidate, so I followed up on the story. I listened to Larry Sinclair’s Youtube video and was curious. There was something about Sinclair that appeared sincere. I had to know more.

I next found interviews of Obama by Tim Russert, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. There was a pattern in all of the interviews. Obama was asked about his records during his tenure in the IL Senate. In all of the interviews Obama gave evasive answers and refused to provide records. Hillary Clinton late in 2007 asked Obama about his senate records. A pattern was emerging.

I then went to the official IL Senate records for November 4-8 and what I saw next caused my jaw to drop. Obama was not present for the opening fall session of the IL Senate on November 4, 1999. I later found out that Obama was present for a speaking engagement on November 8, 1999, the day after Larry Sinclair alleged that they had their last encounter. The IL Senate is located in Springfield, IL, the capital, several hours south of Chicago.

I then knew that something was wrong with Obama and that Larry Sinclair may be telling the truth.

I have looked through the book. As many of you know, I had already read most of the chapters and covered the Larry Sinclair story more than any other source. The book is true to everything that I know and everything that Sinclair has consistently told me. It is extremely important that as many people as possible read the book and tell as many people as possible. Larry Sinclair has fought against insurmountable forces to get this book written and published. The really big part of his story is the great lengths the Obama camp has gone to to silence him. We must not let that happen.

After I had reached the point of no return in spending countless hours to attempt to expose the usurper, Obama, I resolved to do my part to make sure that Sinclair’s story was kept alive. The Obama camp was not only trying to silence Sinclair, but they were attempting to deprive the American public of the truth about Obama, something they had done so well with the MSM.

I will be providing some detailed reviews and corroborating comments over the next several weeks.

Stay tuned.

 

LSbook

 

ObamaBook

Let your favorite book store know that you want them to stock the book.

You can order the book in the interim at:

http://sinclairpublishingllc.com/PLACE-DIRECT-ORDERS.html

John Harris agrees to testify, Blagojevich trial, Obama ties, Tony Rezko, Emil Jones, Valerie Jarrett

Things are moving real slow in preparation for the Rod Blagojevich trial but yesterday, July 9, 2009, the Chicago Tribune reported that Blagojevich chief of staff, John Harris, has agreed to testify against him. What do the names, Rod Blagojevich, John Harris, Tony Rezko, Emil Jones, and Valerie Jarrett all have in common?

Hmmm……Let’s see…….

Barack Obama

Here are some exerpts from the Chicago tribune areticle:

“A chief of staff to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich became the first insider to formally agree to testify for the government, pleading guilty Wednesday in the sweeping federal corruption case against his ex-boss.

John Harris, who was arrested with the former governor in December, is expected to detail for prosecutors perhaps the most stunning charge in the case: how Blagojevich allegedly used his power to appoint a successor to President Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate to barter to enrich himself.

In exchange for Harris’ testimony, prosecutors agreed to recommend he serve less than 3 years in prison. He pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud and is expected to be one of a series of former aides and confidants — fellow chiefs of staff Alonzo “Lon” Monk and John Wyma as well as fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko among them — to testify against Blagojevich.

The plea agreement alleges that the former governor viewed the Senate appointment as a unique opportunity to try to bargain with the new Obama administration, perhaps leading to a Cabinet or ambassador’s post.”

“Among them was the allegation that Blagojevich sent Harris to Springfield to see if one Senate candidate would be willing to exchange all the money in his campaign fund for the seat, a message that Harris says he did not explicitly deliver.

Sources identified that candidate as former state Senate Majority Leader Emil Jones (D-Chicago), who denied such a discussion took place.”

“The plea agreement alleged that Blagojevich discussed an option with an official from the Service Employees International Union — an individual he understood to be an emissary working on behalf of Obama. Blagojevich was hopeful that by naming an individual identified only as “Senate Candidate B” — previously disclosed to be Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett — he could secure an appointment to become secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the agreement said.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-chief-pleajul09,0,6559762.story

Baxter International, H1N1 Swine flu vaccine, Obama, Chicago, May 18, 2009, British government orders 90 million dosages of swine flu vaccine from Baxter, Glaxo

From the Chicago Tribune, May 18, 2009:

“British government orders 90 million dosages of swine flu vaccine from Baxter, Glaxo

 

The British government this morning announced deals with vaccine manufacturers including Deerfield-based Baxter International Inc. to make up to 90 million dosages of a vaccine as a precaution against the swine flu.

The United Kingdom Department of Health today said this morning the deals with Baxter and GlaxoSmithKline Plc “will enable production of pre-pandemic vaccine to begin as soon as possible.” Financial terms of the deal were not available this morning

“The agreements could provide enough vaccine to protect the most vulnerable in our population before a pandemic is likely to arrive, without affecting our supply of seasonal flu vaccine,” the department said in a statement on its web site.

Baxter and other vaccine makers last week obtained strains of the A/H1NI virus from the World Health Organization, which is working with countries around the world. “The WHO has set up a pandemic vaccine supply group that meets weekly and Baxter is part of that group,” Baxter said this morning.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-swine-flu-vaccine-britain-baxter-may15,0,5442108.story

Obama owned stock in a company owned by Baxter International several years ago and  company employees were sizeable contributors to Obama’s campaign. Obama also warned of a global pandemic in 2005.

WHO to stop using swine flu name, H1N1 influenza A, World Health Organization announcement, April 30, 2009, confusion over the danger posed by pigs, Egypt slaughter of pigs, UN food agency concerns

From the Chicago Tribune April 30, 2009.

“WHO to stop using ‘swine flu’ name to avoid confusion over risk from pigs”

“The World Health Organization announced Thursday it will would stop using the term “swine flu” to avoid confusion over the danger posed by pigs. The policy shift came a day after Egypt began slaughtering thousands of pigs in a misguided effort to prevent swine flu.

WHO spokesman Dick Thompson said the agriculture industry and the U.N. food agency had expressed concerns that the term “swine flu” was misleading consumers and needlessly causing countries to ban pork products and order the slaughter of pigs.

“Rather than calling this swine flu … we’re going to stick with the technical scientific name H1N1 influenza A,” Thompson said.

The swine flu virus originated in pigs, and has genes from human, bird and pig viruses. Scientists don’t know exactly how it jumped to humans. In the current outbreak, WHO says the virus is being spread from human to human, not from contact with infected pigs.

 

Egypt began slaughtering its roughly 300,000 pigs Wednesday even though experts said swine flu is not linked to pigs and not spread by eating pork. Angry farmers protested the government decree.

In Paris, the World Organization for Animal Health said Thursday “there is no evidence of infection in pigs, nor of humans acquiring infection directly from pigs.”

Killing pigs “will not help to guard against public or animal health risks” presented by the virus and “is inappropriate,” the group said in a statement.”

“WHO also reported the number of confirmed swine flu cases rose to 257 worldwide Thursday, with cases in Mexico rising to 97 from 26, with seven deaths. The WHO confirmed tally from the United States now stands at 109, with one death.

Other confirmed cases include 34 in Canada, 13 in Spain, eight in Britain, three each in Germany and New Zealand, two in Israel and one each in Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/swineflu/sns-ap-un-who-swine-flu,0,7922234.story

Blagojevich indicted, April 2, 2009, Patrick Fitzgerald, Robert Blagojevich, Patricia Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, federal wiretaps, FBI, Grand jury convenes, Obama indictment, Chicago corruption

Rod Blagojevich has been indicted.

Press Release:

 http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2009/pr0402_01.pdf

Indictment:

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2009/pr0402_01a.pdf

Blagojevich highlights of past year.

March 11, 2009 Dr. Robert Weinstein pleads quilty

February 3, 2009 Tony Rezko talking

January 29, 2009 Blagojevich removed from office

January 26, 2009 Blagojevich impeachment trial begins

December 22, 2008 Secret tapes build graft case

December 16, 2008 Tony Rezko sentencing delayed

December 11, 2008 Citizen Wells asks that Patrick Fitzgerald indict Obama

December 10, 2008 Obama lied about Blagojevich contact

December 9, 2008 Governor Blagojevich arrested

October 9, 2008 Blagojevich scrutinized for possible indictment

October 7, 2008 Rezko sentencing delayed

September 29, 2008 Rezko talking, Blagojevich and Obama to be indicted?

August 28, 2008 Rezko ratting on Blagojevich and Obama?

May 21, 2008 Governor Blagojevich recall initiative

April 29, 2008 Blagojevich mentioned during Rezko trial

Rod Blagojevich indictment, March 31, 2009, Thursday, April 2, 2009, Patrick Fitzgerald, Robert Blagojevich, Patricia Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, federal wiretaps, FBI, Grand jury convenes

The Chicago Tribune reported on March 31, 2009:

“Rod Blagojevich: Indictment could bring more defendants
Former governor’s brother, wife and campaign committee, as well as lobbyist Lon Monk, are possible targets

By John Chase and Jeff Coen | Tribune reporters
March 31, 2009

With a deadline fast approaching for federal prosecutors to file an indictment against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, all eyes will be on the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse this week.

Sources with knowledge of the probe have said the indictment could be filed as soon as Thursday. That is the last scheduled day for the grand jury investigating the former governor to meet before an April 7 deadline for filing the indictment.

The grand jury has convened on Thursdays throughout the lengthy federal investigation.

The indictment is expected to include more details about the allegations against Blagojevich and his former chief of staff John Harris regarding the corruption charges leveled against them in December. It also could include more defendants.

Known targets include Blagojevich’s brother, Robert, who headed the former governor’s campaign fund; Lon Monk, Blagojevich’s onetime best friend and former chief of staff; Blagojevich’s wife, Patricia; and Friends of Blagojevich, the ex-governor’s campaign committee.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-tribune-blagojevich-charges-mar31,0,7161069.story

Dr Robert Weinstein, Pleads guilty to tax fraud, March 11, 2009, Chicago Tribune, Business partner, Stuart Levine, Tony Rezko, Obama ties, Blagojevich, Illinois Health Planning Facilities Board, Weinstein indictment, wire and mail fraud, Corruption

From a Chicago Tribune article dated March 11, 2009:

“The longtime business partner of convicted influence peddler Stuart Levine pleaded guilty Tuesday to failing to disclose on his tax return some $3 million he stole from a charity.

Dr. Robert Weinstein, 63, of Northbrook faces 2 to 3 years in prison in connection with a complex fraud scheme in which he and Levine cheated Northshore Supporting Organization, a charity the two controlled. The charity supported the work of the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, which lost a combined $6 million in the scheme. Both men sat on the board of the North Chicago medical school.

Weinstein, a self-described private investor for the last decade, admitted that he understated his income by $3 million on his 2003 tax return when he actually made $9.2 million. Weinstein, who is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1, didn’t agree to cooperate in the federal probe.

Weinstein was indicted last June on charges of wire and mail fraud and making false statements. But last week prosecutors charged him with a single tax fraud count after he agreed to plead guilty.

Levine has become an important government witness in the federal investigation of corruption in the administration of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, providing key testimony at the trial of Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a top Blagojevich adviser who was convicted of extorting firms seeking state business.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-weinstein-guilty-plea-11-mar11,0,3203453.story
What the Chicago Tribune has been leaving out is Weinstein’s
link to Obama via Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine as revealed in
the indictment of Dr. Robert Weinstein. The common denominator
is the Illinois Health Planning Facilities Board.

 
“1. At times material to this indictment:
a.
Stuart Levine, a resident of Highland Park, Illinois, was a businessman and a member of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board (“Planning Board”).
b.
The Planning Board was a commission of the State of Illinois, established by statute, whose nine members were appointed by the Governor of the State of Illinois. State law required an entity seeking to build a hospital, medical office building, or other medical facility in Illinois to obtain a permit, known as a “Certificate of Need” (“CON”), from the Planning Board prior to beginning construction. Issuance of a CON required a majority vote of the Planning Board.
c.
Antoin Rezko, also known as “Tony” Rezko (“Rezko”), a resident of Wilmette, Illinois, was a businessman and a fund-raiser for candidates for elected office.
d.
There was a federal criminal investigation into allegations of mail fraud, wire fraud, bribery, political corruption, and other criminal activities in connection with the operations of certain State of Illinois boards and commissions, including the Planning Board. Among other matters, this investigation concerned the appointment of, control of, and directions given by third parties to members of the boards and commissions. One aspect of this investigation related to Stuart Levine and those associated with him, including Rezko and WEINSTEIN, and to the nature and scope of the business, personal, and financial relationships among and between them. It was material to this investigation to learn whatinfluence Rezko had in connection with the boards’ and commissions’ operations.
2. On or about May 24, 2004, at Chicago, in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and elsewhere, ROBERT J. WEINSTEIN, defendant herein, knowingly and willfully did make materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements and representations in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice, an agency of the United States government, in that WEINSTEIN stated to a Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent that Levine never told WEINSTEIN that Rezko had influence over the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, whereas at the time WEINSTEIN made this statement and representation, WEINSTEIN knew the statement and representation was false because, in truth and fact, WEINSTEIN and Levine discussed Rezko’s influence over the Planning Board, including in a recorded conversation on April 21, 2004 in which they discussed Rezko’s involvement in the Planning Board and Levine explicitly advised WEINSTEIN of Rezko’s role in manipulating the Planning Board’s vote earlier that day on the CON application of Mercy Health System Corporation Hospital, as well as other Planning Board matters;
In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2).”

Dr Robert Weinstein, Guilty plea, March 5, 2009, Chicago Tribune, Obama, IL Health Planning Facilities Board, Rezko, Levine, Obama crime connection, Vote rigging, Weinstein Indictment, Chicago Medical School

The Chicago Tribune reported on March 5, 2009 that Dr Robert
Weinstein will plead guilty in his corruption indictment.

“A Deerfield urologist caught up in the corruption probe
surrounding Antoin “Tony” Rezko and other state government
figures is scheduled to plead guilty next week, court
records show.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-weinstein-pleamar05,0,6001971.story

The article is very short and consistent with the Chicago
Tribune underreporting on the Dr. Weinstein indictment and
his connections to Rezko, Levine, Blagojevich and Obama.
Why the Tribune has mentioned very little about Dr.
Weinstein is anybody’s guess.

However, if you are left with the impression that Weinstein’s
involvement is insignificant, consider the following:

Dr. Robert Weinstein Indictment

Governor Rod Blagojevich Criminal Complaint

Citizen Wells request to Patrick Fitzgerald, Indict Obama

Anyone that followed the Tony Rezko trial,
read the indictments of Rezko, Stuart Levine, Dr. Robert
Weinstein and a host of others and compared those revelations
to the details of the Blagojevich criminal complaint knows
of Rod Blagojevich’s deep involvement in Chicago pay to play
politics.

Read more

Barack Obama’s role in rigging the IL Health Facilities Planning Board
by reducing the number of members from 15 to 9 and therefore allowing
Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine and Rod Blagojevich to control the board with
only 5 members, is examined in detail. The indictments and criminal
complaints of Rezko, Levine, Blagojevich and Weinstein reveal their
involvement in board corruption. Obama should be indicted as well.

Read more

Dr. Robert Weinstein
“The false statements count alleges that on May 24, 2004, Weinstein
lied to an FBI agent when he said that Levine never told him that
Rezko had influence over the Illinois Health Facilities Planning
Board, the state board that regulates hospital construction and
expansion. In fact, the indictment alleges Weinstein knew that he
and Levine had discussed Rezko’s influence over the Planning Board,
including in a recorded conversation on April 21, 2004, in which
Levine explicitly advised Weinstein of Rezko’s role in manipulating
the Planning Board’s vote earlier that day on the Certificate of
Need application of Mercy Health System Corp. Hospital and other
matters.”

Read more