If you have been following the Tony Rezko corruption trial, several names are mentioned over and over. Obama, Stuart Levine and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich are mentioned in the same sentence as Rezko and Chicago and Illinois corruption. Governor Blagojevich has not been indicted yet but many believe his indictment is probable. The Illinois legislature recently proposed a bill to allow the Illinois people to recall the governor. It was narrowly defeated. The Chicago Tribune just came out with a story about Blagojevich, his strong ties to Rezko and the possibility of his indictment. Here are some excerpts:
“Patrick Collins, the former federal prosecutor who led the successful prosecution of former Gov. George Ryan, said it seems the government’s case against Rezko is “inextricably intertwined with Blagojevich.””
“Most recently, former Blagojevich aide Ali Ata testified that before he was hired by the administration, he attended a meeting at Rezko’s offices with Rezko and the governor. At the meeting, Ata said, he brought along a $25,000 check that was then placed on the table in front of Blagojevich.”
“The prosecution’s star witness, Stuart Levine, testified that on that same fundraising trip he thanked Blagojevich for his reappointment to a hospital planning board. The governor, according to the testimony, told Levine to “never discuss any state board with me,” but then added, “but you stick with us and you’ll do very well for yourself.””
Read the rest of the story here:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-bd18may18,0,7895365.story
I have been covering the crime and corruption ties as well as other aspects of Obama’s past and character on this blog. I urge you to search on Obama, Rezko, Blagojevich or any aspect of Obama you want answers to.
Journalist, Evelyn Pringle, has been doing a lot of indepth research into Obama’s many long time connections to crime and corruption in Chicago and Illinois. Here are some exerpts from her research:
“The names of Obama and Blagojevich became tied to the bid rigging scandal when reports surfaced that Companion had sought their help in carrying out the contract a year after Alsammarae left office, and around the same time he was thrown in jail in Iraq.”
“US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald does not make a habit of destroying pubic officials by listing them in indictments for no reason and the only two political candidates identified as receiving campaign money from Operation Board Games kickback schemes are Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and the US Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama.”
“Instead of referring to Board Games as the “Rezko” case, before long the media will likely be calling it the “Blagojevich” case. However, because the governor did not become the presidential candidate, when the scandal is recorded in the history books it will be the “Barack Obama” case. ”
“Dr Michel Malek gave Obama $10,000 a little over a month before the first meeting on June 30, 2003. He also donated $25,000 to Blagojevich three weeks later on July 25, 2003, and gave Obama another $500 in September 2003. Malek was an investor in Riverside Park. ”
“Dr Fortunee Massuda donated $25,000 to Blagojevich on July 25, 2003, and gave a total of $2,000 to Obama on different dates. Massuda’s husband, Charles Hannon, is a co-schemer in the pension fund case and testified against Rezko in the trial.”
” 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.”
“On May 20, 2005, the Times said, “Two Rezko associates gave Blagojevich $25,000 each just days after the governor named them to a state panel.”
However, the reporters either failed to notice, or failed to mention, that panel member Malek gave $10,000 to Obama on June 30, 2003. ”
Read the rest of Evelyn Pringle’s articles here:
Part 1
http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_evelyn_p_080512_curtain_time_for_bar.htm
Part 2
http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_evelyn_p_080513_curtain_time_for_bar.htm
If you still have any doubts, read the transcripts from the Rezko trial here:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-court-story,0,7957753.htmlstory
Citizen WElls 