Category Archives: Illinois

Obama facts September 14, 2012, Rezko for Radicals Kenneth J Conner Qui Tam lawsuit against Mutual Bank personnel, Amrish Mahajan et al

Obama facts September 14, 2012, Rezko for Radicals Kenneth J Conner Qui Tam lawsuit against Mutual Bank personnel, Amrish Mahajan et al

“Because I tend to rely on evidence and not on hearsay, I believe we should focus our attention on Amrish Mahajan and the Mutual Bank of Harvey, not on Giannoulias and the Broadway Bank, if we are to assign names to the financial institution about which Sneed of the Chicago Sun-Times has heard “rumblings.” Although Mahajan is not known to readers of No Quarter and to the national media, I imagine they will desire more information on the unscrupulous banker once they read the information I unpack below the fold. And yes, Obama is involved, deeply involved.”…Truthteller, NoQuarterUSA October 12, 2008

“Why did Mutual Bank fire whistleblower Kenneth J Connor after he
challenged the appraisal on the land purchased by Rita Rezko, just
prior to the land sale to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did the Rezkos enter into an agreement to purchase the lot next to the Obama house and pay the asking price of $ 625,000 at a time when they were broke and heavily in debt?”…Citizen Wells

The economy is in shambles, there are numerous diversions in the Middle East and in the election campaigns, Tony Rezko is in prison, the appeal of Rod Blagojevich has been delayed by the US Justice Dept. Obama thinks he has it made.

Not on my watch.

Kenneth J. Conner has a new book coming out, “Rezko for Radicals” and has a Qui Tam Lawsuit against the officers, directors and employees of Mutual Bank of Harvey, Adams Valuation Corp., et al. Citizen Wells will continue to keep these stories alive.

I have much respect and appreciation for sites like No Quarter USA which were investigating and reporting the truth about Obama when many were asleep or doing their best to hide this information.

From No Quarter USA October 12, 2008.

“About the Financial Institution Mentioned in the Sun-Times: Obama, Tony Rezko, Amrish Mahajan, the Kenwood Mansion & Rita Rezko”

“Mike Robinson’s AP article entitled “Obama Fundraiser, Convicted of Fraud, Spills Beans,” corroborates what we at No Quarter have been writing for weeks:Antoin “Tony” Rezko is cooperating with federal prosecutors interested in Barack Obama. While the national media’s attention to this topic is long overdue, I am not prepared to state that it is too little, too late. I am, however, disappointed.

Also disappointing but somewhat predictable is the blogosphere’s bungled reception of Mike Robinson’s article. Of course those who have embraced Obamawill dismiss the story as so much yellow journalism. One blogger claims that prosecutors are interested in Blagojevich and not Obama. But looming in the blind spot of that blogger’s necessarily tendentious gaze is Rezko’s 9 JUN 2008 letter to Judge Amy St. Eve and the reference to Obama as “Individual D” in the superseding indictment and the proffer of evidence filed by Fitzgerald and his prosecutors during the Rezko trial. Obama’s name can be printed again and again on the surface of the legal documents filed during the proceedings of the Rezko trial, but these writers with all their “naked” insight will clothe the verifiable record with their blindness. Knowledge production, it seems, has been lifted from its evidentiary supports when Democrats write about Barack Obama and Antoin “Tony” Rezko.

And yes, those Democrats include some ostensible Hillary Clinton Democrats. Seizing upon the following quotation in a Chicago Sun-Times column, one blogger believes the AP story heralds the end of the political careers of Alexi Giannoulias and Barack Obama:

Sneed hears rumbles political fund-raiser/fixer Tony Rezko, who is now singing sweetly to the feds from his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, has been talking about his “dealings” with a Chicago bank, which has political connections.

Stay tuned.

While Rezko was a customer of Alexi Giannoulias’s Broadway Bank, where he amassed a debt of $450,000 after writing bad checks at Las Vegas casinos, and while Giannoulias did write loans for Rezko, I do not believe one can aver with the confidence of the blogger I cite above that federal prosecutors are now focusing on Giannoulias, even if Giannoulias was tied to Rezko by his opponent during his 2006 bid for the office of Illinois state Treasurer. Allow me to be clear: Obama bundlermobster banker and Obama protégé Giannoulias is, to be sure, embroiled in the Rezko scandal and in other aspects of Chicago politics any political observer would find unsavory, but he is not in my opinion the topic of the conservation occurring between Rezko, Rezko’s attorney and Fitzgerald’s team of prosecutors. I do admit he is grist for the mill of impetuous bloggers who desire web traffic and a controversial headline or two, however. Because I tend to rely on evidence and not on hearsay, I believe we should focus our attention on Amrish Mahajan and the Mutual Bank of Harvey, not on Giannoulias and the Broadway Bank, if we are to assign names to the financial institution about which Sneed of the Chicago Sun-Timeshas heard “rumblings.” Although Mahajan is not known to readers ofNo Quarter and to the national media, I imagine they will desire more information on the unscrupulous banker once they read the information I unpack below the fold. And yes, Obama is involved, deeply involved.

harvey.jpg

My interest in Amrish Mahajan and the Mutual Bank of Harvey was picqued by this list of contributors in Rezko’s bundling network provided by the Chicago Sun-Times last March. View the second page of the document, and notice the following entry:

Last name First name Obama donations Rezko connection
Mahajan Amrish $2,500 Banker whose bank loaned money to Rezko companies. The bank also loaned Rezko’s wife money to buy a vacant lot next to Obama’s home.

The data available in the Sun-Times spreadsheet is corroborated by the following data, which is democratically available at the Federal Election Commission‘s website:

MAHAJAN, AMRISH
CHICAGO, IL 60607
MUTUAL BANK

OBAMA, BARACK
VIA OBAMA FOR ILLINOIS INC
12/20/2003 500.00 24020030170
04/14/2004 1000.00 24020461757

Not only was Mahajan a member of Rezko’s bundling network; his bank, the Mutual Bank of Harvey, granted Rita Rezko the $500,000 mortgage she neededin order to purchase the lot on which the Obama mansion in Chicago sits. As many of you may recall, the Obamas could not have purchased the mansion they could not afford unless transactions for the mansion and the lot closed on the same day. Obama needed to locate someone who would buy the lot, and he approached Rezko, the convicted slumlord with whom Obama toured the property before they mutually agreed to the following arrangement:

The home and lot sales closed on June 15, 2005. A land trust controlled by the Obamas bought the house for $1.65 million, and the Obamas secured a $1.32 million mortgage from Northern Trust to complete that purchase. That same day, Rezko’s wife, Rita Rezko, bought the side lot for $625,000. A $37,000- a-year Cook County employee, she secured a $500,000 mortgage from Mutual Bank of Harvey.

The structure of this transaction begs the following question: What bank would lend a government employee who earns $37,000 per annum a $500,000 mortgage? What bank would assume such a risk?

The Mutual Bank of Harvey, of course, for the Mutual Bank of Harvey’s President is a man who is deeply connected to the Chicago machine that backed Barack Obama. Indeed, Amrish Mahajan was one of Mayor Daley’s first political appointments in 1989, when he was named to a seat on Chicago’s Plan Commission, where he would be joined by Obama’s former boss and Rezko’s business partner Allison Davis and by Valerie Jarrett, Daley’s Chief of Staff whochaired the Commission from 1991-1995. Mahajan, in other words, worked with those who devised and profited from Daley’s failed public housing experiment in Chicago, a public housing policy Obama helped fund as state Senator and US Senator.

Rezko, according to the Boston Globe, was one of the major beneficiaries of Obama’s legislative advocacy for funding of Daley’s public housing experiment. Other major beneficiaries are Jarrett and Allison Davis. Mahajan was also a beneficiary, for his bank had made $3.4 million dollars in loans to Tony Rezko’s slum landlord business since 2002. A banker for one of the slumlords who benefitted from the Daley housing program Obama helped bankroll, Mahajan was returning a favor when he wrote a $500,000 mortgage in 2005 for the wife of one of his clients. Although Tony’s financial problems were mounting in 2005, and although Rita earned only $35,000 per annum, Mahajan underwrote the mortgage. Favors must be reciprocated, I guess, especially when one can satisfy two parties at once: the person with whom one has a complicated relationship in real estate and the politician who helped finance that complicated relationship as state Senator and US Senator.

I doubt federal investigators are interested in the Mahajans solely for their involvement in the property deal involving Obama, Mahajan and the Rezkos. The Mahajans, I believe, are the foci of their probe for many reasons.

The real estate transaction involving Rita Rezko, the Obamas and Mutual Bank of Harvey is just the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, the Mutual Bank of Harvey seems to be at the center of all the corruption in Chicago. To quote former Donald Perillo, Chicago insurance mogul and son of the lawyer for Al Capone, in the Chicago Tribune article I cite above:

Donald Parrillo said he isn’t surprised to see Mahajan mix it up with politics and business. “He got that attitude from the Parrillo family,” the former alderman said. “He wanted to get in the game.”

And Mahajan certainly is in the game. The banker of the Chicago machine, he is also the man who wrote the mortgage for Rita Rezko that facilitated Obama’s purchase the mansion he could not afford. This is why I believe prosecutors are interested in Harvey Mutual Bank. Not only did Rezko receive loans from this institution; this bank is heavily involved in problematic real estate dealings involving Blagojevich and Obama. And if I may quote Rezko in the 9 JUN letter he wrote to Judge Amy St. Eve:

Your Honor, the prosecutors have been overzealous in pursuing a crime that never happened. They are pressuring me to tell them the “wrong” things that I supposedly know aboutGovernor Blagojevich and Senator Obama. I have never been party to any wrongdoing that involved the Governor or the Senator. I will never fabricate lies about anyone else for selfish purposes. I will take what comes my way, but I will never hurt innocent people. I am not Levine, Loren, Mahru , or Winter.”

Rezko is now talking, and prosecutors are presently interested in a politically connected financial institution. I bet Obama now regrets paying Rita Rezko $104,500 for the strip of the land in the lot on which his house sits in January 2006. Acquired with the assistance of a questionable $500,000 mortgage from Amrish Mahajan’s Mutual Bank of Harvey, this lot and Obama’s desire to expand his yard by bit was the catalyst for all the investigative reports into Obama’s deep ties to Rezko. By the way, Rita’s lot is only accessible through the front gate of Obama’s home; it is not a separate property, and it was never intended to be a separate property.

“It was a mistake to have been engaged with him at all in this or any other personal business dealing that would allow him, or anyone else, to believe that he had done me a favor,” Obama says of the real estate transactions with Rezko. I wonder if now he also believes it was a mistake for him to serve as the legislator who represented and bankrolled Richard Daley, Amrish Mahajan, Valerie Jarrett, Allison Davis and the Chicago Plan Commission. But at least he and Michelle have a house, a house the Mutual Bank of Harvey, the politically connected bank that wrote loans for Rezko, helped them procure in 2005. Too bad that house will be the end of Barack Obama.

obama-home.jpg

—————————————————-”

http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/5382/about-the-financial-institution-mentioned-in-the-sun-times-obama-tony-rezko-amrish-mahajan-the-kenwood-mansion-rita-rezko/

Rezko for Radicals book, Kenneth J. Conner author and whistleblower in the Rezko Obama lot transactions, Qui Tam lawsuit, Mutual Bank of Harvey, Adams Valuation Corp.

Rezko for Radicals book, Kenneth J. Conner author and whistleblower in the Rezko Obama lot transactions, Qui Tam lawsuit, Mutual Bank of Harvey, Adams Valuation Corp.

“Why did Mutual Bank fire whistleblower Kenneth J Connor after he
challenged the appraisal on the land purchased by Rita Rezko, just
prior to the land sale to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did the Rezkos enter into an agreement to purchase the lot next to the Obama house and pay the asking price of $ 625,000 at a time when they were broke and heavily in debt?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

Rezko for Radicals

A new book by Kenneth J. Conner

whistleblower in the Rezko Obama lot transactions

Kenneth J. Conner, whistleblower in the Rezko Obama lot transactions, is the author of a new book, “Rezko for Radicals.” The scheduled release date for the book is October 1, 2012. I am not at liberty to divulge the contents yet, but as soon as I am permitted, I will do so. At some point more information will be available here as well.

http://rezkoforradicals.com/

With all of the books being written about Chicago pay to play politics and corruption, why would this book be of interest? Kenneth J. Conner was there at Mutual Bank of Harvey, doing his job, asking questions about another questionable appraisal froma Adams Valuation Corp. except this time the borrower was Rita Rezko, wife of Tony Rezko. And the other party involved in these transactions was Barack Obama, an IL senator at the time. Here is why Conner’s story has credence.

  • In early 2005, the Rezkos were broke and heavily in debt.
  • In June 2005, Rita Rezko obtained a loan from Mutual Bank of Harvey in the amount of $ 500,000 for the lot next to the mansion purchased by the Obama’s at the same time.
  • The Rezkos paid the full asking price $ 625,000.
  • The sellers mandated that both properties close at the same time.
  • Rita Rezko’s salary was approx. $ 37,000.
  • Kenneth J. Conner was a real estate specialist at Mutual Bank in 2005.
  • In late 2005 to early 2006, Mr. Conner was asked to review the appraisal by Adams.
  • Mr. Conner reported to his bosses that the property was overvalued by $ 125,000 and that based on comparables  it was worth $ 500,000.
  • On November  21, 2005 Barack Obama had an appraisal of the lot done by Howard B. Richter & Associates. That appraisal was for $ 490,860.
  • The Rezkos and Obamas signed a purchase agreement on January 4, 2006 for one sixth of the lot. The Obamas paid $104,500 instead of the appraised value of $40,500.
  • Mr. Conner’s valuation was subsequently removed from the loan file.
  • On October 19, 2006 Mutual Bank received a grand jury subpoena requiring it to produce information concerning Rita Rezko’s purchase, including the bank’s files on the property.
  • On December 28, 2006 former Rezko business attorney Michael J. Sreenan purchased the Rezko lot.
  • “In 2007, Conner observed that his ARR of the 5050 S. Greenwood property was not in the Rezko 5050 Greenwood loan file and in it’s
    place was the Murphy Checklist purportedly dated “06/15/2005.”…On June 18, 2007, Conner sent an email to James Murphy which provides, in part, “I spent time trying to track down work of mine that should be in a particular high profile loan file, though it is not–having been replaced by a checklist.”
  • ” In October, 2007, Conner had various communications with Mutual Bank’s Human Resources Department representative, Lana Schlabach. In an email communication of October 15, 2007, Conner directly referenced “Resentment over my mentioned discovery of the removal/replacement of an appraisal review that I conducted. That appraisal review contained substantial observations and suggestions. The transaction and parties involved were high profile in the media.I am under the impression that the FBI has since looked at the file.”
  • “On October 23, 2007, eight days after Conner’s October 15, 2007
    email to Schlabach attached as Exhibit J, Mutual Bank terminated
    Conner’s employment”
  • Late 2007 the FBI investigated the lot transactions. Mr. Conner stated. “Agents and I talked about payoff, bribe, kickback for a long time, though it took them only a short number of minutes of talking with me while looking at the appraisal to acknowledge what they already seemed to know: The Rezko lot was grossly overvalued,”
  • On October 16, 2008 Kenneth J. Conner filed his first lawsuit for retaliatory dismissal.
  • On October 25, 2011 the FDIC initiated a lawsuit against Mutual Bank officers, directors and the bank lawyer. “5. Collectively, the Director Defendants and Officer Defendants (“Director and Officer Defendants”) (a) recklessly implemented a strategy of rapid asset growth through approving a high concentration of risky CRE, ADC and out-of-area loans to a small concentration of high-volume borrowers; (b) failed to implement appropriate underwriting and credit administration practices; (c) ignored the Bank’s loan policies; (d) ignored federal lending regulations; and (e) disregarded warnings from the Bank’s regulators regarding the Bank’s lending activities.”
  • Mr. Conner has filed a Qui Tam lawsuit against the officers, directors and employees of Mutual Bank as well as Adams Valuations Corp. and others. The lawsuit is no longer under seal.

 

 

Rezko for Radicals

The whistleblower account of Obama’s $125,000 real estate scam.

by  Kenneth J. Conner

Available on Amazon October 1st

Copyright © 2012 Kenneth J. Conner, All rights reserved.

Kenneth J. Conner Qui Tam whistleblower lawsuit unsealed, Mutual Bank officers, Amrish Mahajan, Rezkos lot purchase, Adams Valuation corp, False statements and omissions

Kenneth J. Conner Qui Tam whistleblower lawsuit unsealed, Mutual Bank officers, Amrish Mahajan, Rezkos lot purchase, Adams Valuation corp, False statements and omissions

“Why did Mutual Bank fire whistleblower Kenneth J Connor after he
challenged the appraisal on the land purchased by Rita Rezko, just
prior to the land sale to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did the Rezkos enter into an agreement to purchase the lot next to the Obama house and pay the asking price of $ 625,000 at a time when they were broke and heavily in debt?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

This is a Citizen Wells exclusive.

I have been in regular contact with Kenneth J. Conner since he filed his original whistleblower lawsuit in 2008. As you may recall, Conner, a former employee of Mutual Bank of Harvey, was asked to do an appraisal review of the lot the Rezkos purchased in June 2005 for the full asking price of $ 625,000. Adams Valuation Corp. had appraised the lot earlier for $ 625,000. After review, Kenneth J. Conner concluded, based on comparable properties, that the lot was worth $ 500,000. An appraisal requested by Barack Obama by Howard B. Richter & Associates on November 21, 2005, near the time of Conner’s evaluation, determined the value of the lot to be $ 490,860. The Obama’s purchased one sixth of the lot in 2006.

From Citizen Wells October 31, 2011.

“9.  In June, 2005, Mutual Bank President and CEO Amrish Mahajan and
other Mutual Bank officers approved a loan to Rita Malki Rezko (Rita
Rezko) which was guaranteed by Antonin Rezko so that Rita Rezko could
purchase a 9,090 square foot vacant parcel of real estate at 5050 S.
Greenwood Avenue, Chicago. As part of the Mutual Bank loan
underwriting process, Mutual Bank obtained a real estate appraisal
from Adams Valuation Corporation (Adams Appraisal) which purported to
provide an opinion of value of the subject 5050 S. Greenwood real
estate (the collateral for the Rezko loan) at $ 68.76 per square foot.
A copy of the Adams Appraisal is attached as Exhibit C. In June, 2005,
Rita Rezko closed on the purchase of the 5050 S. Greenwood property at
a purchase price of $ 625,000.00 along with the loan from Mutual Bank
in the amount of $ 500,000.00 with Mutual bank obtaining a first
mortgage lien position on the Greenwood vacant parcel.”

“10.  On or about January 4, 2006, Rita Rezko entered into an
agreement with Senator Barack and Michelle Obama (Obamas) to sell a
ten-foot strip of the 5050 S. Greenwood property to the Obamas. A copy
of the Obama/Rita Rezko contract is attached as Exhibit D. As a result
of that transaction, the Rezkos requested that Mutual Bank release
it’s first collateral position to the ten-foot strip parcel
transferred to the Obamas. In that same general time frame, Richard
Barth, Mutual Bank Senior VP of construction lending and James Murphy,
Mutual Bank Senior VP Internal Auditor/Risk Manager, requested that
Conner perform an appraisal review of the Adams Appraisal attached
hereto as Exhibit C.”

“11.  In late 2005 or early 2006, Conner performed an appraisal review
of the Adams Appraisal (Exhibit C) per the directive of Richard Barth
and James Murphy. Conner prepared a written Appraisal Review report
(ARR) opining that the Adams Appraisal overvalued the Greenwood lot by
a minimum of $ 125,000.00 and that a reasonable and fair valuation for
Mutual Banks’s underwriting purposes should be no greater than $
500,000.00 for the entire 5050 S. Greenwood parcel as originally
purchased by Rita Rezko. In that same general time frame an appraisal
was performed for the 5050 S. Greenwood property by Howard B. Richter,
MAI which valued the 5050 S. Greenwood property at $ 54.00 per square
foot but then discounted the ten-foot strip being transferred by Rita
Rezko to the Obamas by fifty percent, as the ten-foot strip was
unbuildable standing alone…The valuation by the Richter Appraisal for
the 5050 S. Greenwood lot was substantially to Conner’s ARR
valuation.”

“12.  Conner notified Richard Barth and James Murphy orally of his ARR
findings and Conner’s ARR was filed in the “Rezko 5050 Greenwood” loan
file at Mutual Bank.”

“13.  In addition to Conner’s ARR stating that the Adams Appraisal
overvalued the 5050 S. Greenwood property, Conner had reported on
other occasions that Adams Valuation Corporation had overvalued real
estate subject to Mutual Bank loan underwriting valuation.”

“14.  On or about October 19, 2006, Mutual Bank received a Grand Jury
Subpoena (GJS) requiring Mutual Bank to produce the Rezko 5050
Greenwood loan file, as well as a Rita Rezko Riverside District
Development LLC checking account and loan file. Electronic mail
(email) communications about the subpoena were circulated to Mutual
Bank officers and attorneys, including Amrish Mahajan, James Murphy
and Conner. A copy of an October 19, 2006 email string pertaining to
the Rezko GJS is attached as Exhibit F. On information and belief,
Conner’s ARR was removed from the Rezko 5050 Greenwood loan file prior
to the submission of that file pursuant to the GJS, and in it’s place
Mutual bank submitted an appraisal checklist which was purportedly
dated “06/15/05″ from Senior VP James P. Murphy (Murphy Checklist). A
copy of the Murphy Checklist is attached as Exhibit G.”

“16.  In 2007, Conner observed that his ARR of the 5050 S. Greenwood
property was not in the Rezko 5050 Greenwood loan file and in it’s
place was the Murphy Checklist purportedly dated “06/15/2005.”…On June
18, 2007, Conner sent an email to James Murphy which provides, in
part, “I spent time trying to track down work of mine that should be
in a particular high profile loan file, though it is not–having been
replaced by a checklist.””

“17.  In October, 2007, Conner had various communications with Mutual
Bank’s Human Resources Department representative, Lana Schlabach. In
an email communication of October 15, 2007, Conner directly referenced
“Resentment over my mentioned discovery of the removal/replacement of
an appraisal review that I conducted. That appraisal review contained
substantial observations and suggestions. The transaction and parties
involved were high profile in the media.I am under the impression that
the FBI has since looked at the file.””

“18.  On October 23, 2007, eight days after Conner’s October 15, 2007
email to Schlabach attached as Exhibit J, Mutual Bank terminated
Conner’s employment for pretextual reasons.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/mutual-bank-amrish-mahajan-richard-barth-fdic-lawsuit-kenneth-j-conner-whistleblower-vindication-obama-rezko-land-deal/

On October 25, 2011 the FDIC initiated a lawsuit against Mutual Bank officers, directors and the bank lawyer.

From Citizen Wells October 31, 2011.

From the lawsuit:

“5. Collectively, the Director Defendants and Officer Defendants (“Director and Officer Defendants”) (a) recklessly implemented a strategy of rapid asset growth through approving a high concentration of risky CRE, ADC and out-of-area loans to a small concentration of high-volume borrowers; (b) failed to implement appropriate underwriting and credit administration practices; (c) ignored the Bank’s loan policies; (d) ignored federal lending regulations; and (e) disregarded warnings from the Bank’s regulators regarding the Bank’s lending activities.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/mutual-bank-amrish-mahajan-richard-barth-fdic-lawsuit-kenneth-j-conner-whistleblower-vindication-obama-rezko-land-deal/

The Kenneth J. Conner Qui Tam lawsuit includes the Rezko lot purchase along with other transactions as part of an ongoing pattern of deception.

The lawsuit begins:

“This action, brought on behalf of the United States, concerns various knowing false statements and omissions caused by certain officers, directors and employees of Mutual Bank of Harvey (collectively, “Mutual Bank”) to the Federal deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) in part in order to reduce deposit insurance premiums due to the FDIC and otherwise conceal risk.”

http://www.scribd.com/doc/105592243/Kenneth-J-Conner-Qui-Tam-whistleblower-lawsuit

Qui Tam lawsuits defined.

“Qui tam is a law passed by Congress that allows a private individual with knowledge of fraud committed against the federal government to act as a government whistleblower and bring about a qui tam lawsuit on behalf of the US. Any situation where a company or individual has defrauded the government comes under the False Claims Act, including Medicare fraud and pharmaceutical fraud.”

“Qui tam is a provision of the False Claims Act that allows a whistle blower to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the US government for a fraud committed against the United States. A government whistleblower who successfully files a qui tam lawsuit is entitled to receive between 15 percent and 30 percent of the lawsuit settlement funds recovered for the government.

A considerable amount (estimates are as high as 10 percent) of the US annual budget is paid to companies or individuals who defraud the government, usually by overcharging, submitting bills for services never performed, or over-billing for services provided. Qui tam whistleblower lawsuits include government contract fraud, defense contractor fraud, Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, pharmaceutical fraud and other public benefit fraud.

Qui tam Lawsuits and Settlements

Over one thousand qui tam lawsuits were filed between 1987 and 1995 and from 1988 to 1995 over $1 billion was recovered by qui tam lawyers, either in settlements or lawsuit verdicts filed by government whistleblowers. Since 1986, the government has recovered over $2 billion as a result of these lawsuits, of which almost $340 million has been paid to whistleblowers, also known as “relators”.

Typically, fraud cases are related to where the government is spending the most money. For instance, in the late 1980s, many qui tam lawsuits involved the defense industry. Recently, health care and pharmaceutical cases have been foremost.”

“Whistleblower Protection

“Congress added Whistleblower protections to the False Claims Act in 1986, which entitles the whistleblower to reinstatement with seniority, double back pay, interest, special damages sustained as a result of discriminatory treatment, and attorneys fees and costs, even if the case is never filed, as long as the whistle blower’s allegations could legitimately support a False Claims Act case.

The False Claims Act also protects qui tam plaintiffs who are “demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment” for acts done in furtherance of filing a claim under the Act.”

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/lawsuit/qui-tam-whistleblower-government-fraud.html#.UE9Jk41lTL9

I was just given the ok to present this.

More to come.

Obama Rezko lot purchases, Court records prove Obama lied about contact with Rezko and Rezko requests, Obama Rezko et al Chicago pay to play

Obama Rezko lot purchases, Court records prove Obama lied about contact with Rezko and Rezko requests, Obama Rezko et al Chicago pay to play

“Why were portions of the motion to subpoena Obama by the Blagojevich defense team, damning to Obama, redacted?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did the Rezkos enter into an agreement to purchase the lot next to the Obama house and pay the asking price of $ 625,000 at a time when they were broke and heavily in debt?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

My research, review and discussions regarding Obama’s involvement in Chicago pay to play are progressing. Yesterday I got a clarification from someone who was involved in one of the transactions. Before I proceed, I want to clarify the Obama Rezko relationship and Obama lies about it.

From TPM Muckraker March 3, 2008.

“The connection has dogged Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) ever since it was first reported in November of 2006. With Tony Rezko’s trial finally beginning this week, and with the trial expected to last for months, it will keep dogging him.

You know the general outline. In June of 2005, Obama bought a home in Chicago’s South Side. On the same day, Tony Rezko bought an adjoining lot, the house’s side yard. It was not an isolated association between the two. Rezko was a big-time fundraiser and supporter of Obama, who raised more than $150,000 for Obama’s state and federal campaigns over the span of nine years ($20,000 of that was from Rezko himself). Over the past 16 months, Obama has donated almost $160,000 of those Rezko-linked contributions to charity.

Rezko, a big-time real estate developer and mucky-muck in Illinois politics, was indicted in October of 2006 on fraud and extortion charges.

Although Obama’s longterm relationship with Rezko has gained plenty of scrutiny, the house purchase has understandably gotten the most. Given Rezko’s central role in Illinois’ influence-buying and cronyism scandal, suspicion is natural. Obama himself has called his subsequent purchase of a strip of the adjoining lot from Rezko “bone-headed.” It’s hard not to agree.

There is no sure evidence that the house deal was worse than bone-headed. Not that the question has been put to rest. A number of unanswered questions remain.

For instance, it’s unclear whether Rezko was actually doing a favor for Obama: whether Obama could not have bought the house otherwise or whether Obama derived a financial benefit from Rezko’s involvement in the deal. The main suspicion has been that Rezko’s purchase of the side yard at the seller’s asking price allowed Obama’s purchase of the house to go through since the seller insisted on closing both properties on the same day. But both Obama and Rezko have said that someone else had bid on the side yard, raising the bidding to the asking price. If that’s the case, then Obama could have bought the house without Rezko’s involvement. And Obama has said that his family has stayed off the side yard and never used it for family activities.

Obama has acknowleged, however, that Rezko’s likely motivation for buying the lot was to curry favor with him. Rezko reportedly admitted as much to his business associates. And as The New York Times reports today, Rezko was so heavily in debt at the time he purchased the lot that he did it under his wife’s name in order to protect it from creditors.

And then there’s the other big question, whether Obama ever did anything for Rezko in return for his purchase of the side yard or all those contributions. Obama has said that Rezko “never asked me for anything” and “I’ve never done any favors for him.” No substantial evidence has surfaced to contradict that claim. (The Chicago Sun-Times did dig up letters from Obama in 1998, some seven years before the house sale, urging Illinois and Chicago officials to provide funding for a Rezko company to build apartments for senior citizens, but both Obama and Rezko denied that Rezko had asked Obama to write the letters, and there’s no evidence to the contrary.)

As Rezko’s trial nears, you’re sure to hear the two names raised together again and again. And you’ll be hearing about that house purchase. So we’re laying it all out here. We’ve compiled the main details in our timeline of Rezko and Obama’s relationship here.

Recently, NBC News got a good aerial view of the Obama’s home and side lot, which is now owned by Michael Sreenan, a former business attorney of Rezko’s:
Back in 2004, the home’s owner put both parcels on the market. There was no fence between the two properties, since the undeveloped land served as the house’s side yard, but the properties were listed separately.

In January of 2005, the Obamas made three successive bids on the home, which had been listed at $1.95 million. After bids of $1.3 and then $1.5 million, the Obamas, through an agent, finally offered $1.65 million, a bid which the seller ultimately accepted. Obama has said that the house was on the market for a number of months and was overpriced. The seller, a doctor at the University of Chicago named Fredric Wondisford who has refused to speak to the media, has stated in an email released by the Obama campaign to Bloomberg that Obama’s bid was the highest bid on the home. Obama has said that he didn’t purchase the side yard because he could not afford it.

It’s still unclear exactly how Rezko came to buy the side yard. Back in November of 2006, when Obama was first interviewed by The Chicago Tribune about the deal, he was very hazy on the details: “I don’t recall exactly what our conversations were or where I first learned, and I am not clear what the circumstances were where he made a decision that he was interested in the property.”

In answering written questions from The Chicago Sun-Times later that week, he was clearer: “to the best of [his] recollection,” he’d told Rezko about the side yard and that “he developed an interest, knowing both the location and, as I recall, the developer who had previously purchased it.”

Last month, an Obama spokesman divulged more: that at some point before the purchase, which closed in June of 2005, Obama and Rezko had toured the property together “because Rezko was a real-estate developer in the area” and Obama wanted his opinion. The spokesman could not specify when, exactly, this tour had occurred — before Obama had made successive bids on the home in January of 2005, or after.

It’s not clear when Rezko bid on the property, but Obama has said that the seller accepted Rezko’s bid on the yard before accepting Obama’s bid on the house.

Both Obama and Michael Sreenan, Rezko’s former attorney who now owns the adjoining lot, have said that at least one other party bid on the yard, as an explanation for why Rezko ultimately paid the seller’s asking price, $625,000. The burning question, of course, is whether Rezko was doing Obama a favor by buying the side lot at the asking price. Though the seller, via the campaign, has corroborated other details about the purchase, he has not confirmed that there were other bids on the lot.

Though Obama made his final offer in January of 2005, the purchase did not close for another five months. It’s unclear why.

By June of 2005, when the purchases did close, Rezko’s ethical and legal troubles had begun unraveling on the pages of the city’s major newspapers. Just a month before, The Chicago Tribune had run a major profile of Rezko and his many entanglements, including the fact that he’d been subpoenaed as part of a sprawling corruption probe of the state government.

As you can see from the picture of the property above, the two properties are now divided by a fence. But there was no fence when the purchases were made. The Obamas have provided documents to The Chicago Tribune to show that, immediately following the purchase, they began making preparations for installing a fence — an undertaking that required considerable paperwork since the properties are landmarked. That process lasted several months.

When it finally came time to install the fence, the Obamas also wanted to extend their property by another five to ten feet so that the fence would be at a distance from the house. The Obamas ultimately purchased from Rezko a 10-foot wide strip adjacent to and paralleling their property line.

Obama has said that he approached Rezko personally in January of 2006 about buying some of the adjacent lot. To set the price for the 1,500-square-foot strip, which was one-sixth of the entire lot, Obama hired a firm to appraise its value. When that appraisal came in at $40,500, Obama says he judged it too low for appearance’s sake and instead set the price at $104,500, which was one-sixth of the price Rezko had paid for the entire lot. There’s been no suggestion that Rezko actually negotiated with Obama on the price. In any case, he accepted.

Rezko’s rapidly deteriorating situation might explain Obama’s extra caution. Since its profile of Rezko the previous May, the Tribune had also brought word (as you can see on our timeline) that Rezko had been subpoenaed on a number of other matters, all pertaining to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s investigation of influence-buying, cronyism, and extortion in Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s (D) government. It was increasingly clear that he was of central interest to prosecutors. He was finally indicted in October of 2006.

Though Obama’s name may come up at the trial, since Rezko allegedly made illegal “straw” contributions (via intermediaries) to Obama in addition to a number of other politicians, he is expected to be only a peripheral player. As The Los Angeles Times puts it this morning, Obama will be in “the background.” But unfortunately for Obama, Rezko is also certain to be in the background of his campaign through November.”

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/obama_rezko_purchase.php

I will answer 2 of the questions now, more later.

First a simple one.

“Though Obama made his final offer in January of 2005, the purchase did not close for another five months. It’s unclear why.”

Answer: The Obamas did not have the money or income in January 2005 (see 2004 tax return). The Rezkos were flat broke and heavily in debt (from Rezko Trial records and other sources). More later.

“And then there’s the other big question, whether Obama ever did anything for Rezko in return for his purchase of the side yard or all those contributions. Obama has said that Rezko “never asked me for anything” and “I’ve never done any favors for him.” No substantial evidence has surfaced to contradict that claim. (The Chicago Sun-Times did dig up letters from Obama in 1998, some seven years before the house sale, urging Illinois and Chicago officials to provide funding for a Rezko company to build apartments for senior citizens, but both Obama and Rezko denied that Rezko had asked Obama to write the letters, and there’s no evidence to the contrary.)”

We know from Rezko trial transcripts that Obama lied about his contact with Tony Rezko.

Chicago SunTimes February 10, 2008.

“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,“

Chicago SunTimes March 14, 2008 interview with Obama.

“Thomas is an FBI mole and he “recently told us that he saw you coming and going from Rezko’s office a lot.””

From the Blagojevich Trial subpoena of Barack Obama. Portions related to Obama were initially redacted but then discovered.

“21. Tony Rezko is one of the government’s main witnesses.8 Mr. Rezko’s credibility is extremely relevant in this trial. In many instances, Mr. Rezko is the government’s crucial witness to prove up their allegations.9 Mr. Rezko wrote a letter to a federal judge stating “the prosecutors have been overzealous in pursuing a crime that never happened. They are pressuring me to tell them the “wrong” things that I supposedly know about Governor Blagojevich and Senator Obama. I have never been a party to any wrongdoing that involved the Governor or the Senator. I will never fabricate lies about anyone else for selfish purposes.” (Exhibit A)”

“22. However, the defense has a good faith belief that Mr. Rezko, President Obama’s former friend, fund-raiser, and neighbor told the FBI and the United States Attorneys a different story about President Obama. In a recent in camera proceeding, the government tendered a three paragraph letter indicating that Rezko “has stated in interviews with the government that he engaged in election law violations by personally contributing a large sum of cash to the campaign of a public official who is not Rod Blagojevich. … Further, the public official denies being aware of cash contributions to his campaign by Rezko or others and denies having conversations with Rezko related to cash contributions. … Rezko has also stated in interviews with the government that he believed he transmitted a quid pro quo offer from a lobbyist to the public official, whereby the lobbyist would hold a fundraiser for the official in exchange for favorable official action, but that the public official rejected the offer. The public official denies any such
conversation. In addition, Rezko has stated to the government that he and the
public official had certain conversations about gaming legislation and
administration, which the public official denies having had.”10?

“10 The defense has a good faith belief that this public official is Barack Obama. See, “Obama on Rezko deal: It was a mistake”, Dave McKinney, Chris Fusco, and Mark Brown, Chicago Sun Times, November 5, 2006. Senator Barack Obama was asked: “Did Rezko or his companies ever solicit your support on any matter involving state or federal government? Did Al Johnson, who was trying to get a casino license along with Tony Rezko, or Rezko himself ever discuss casino matters with you?” Senator Obama answered: “No, I have never been asked to do anything to advance his business interest. In 1999, when I was a State Senator, I opposed legislation to bring a casino to Rosemont and allow casino gambling at docked riverboats which news reports said Al Johnson and Tony
Rezko were interested in being part of. I never discussed a casino license with either of them. I was a vocal opponent of the legislation.” Obama’s involvement with Tony Rezko and this legislation coincides with the three paragraph summary the government has provided to the defense referenced above.”

“23. President Obama is the only one who can testify as to the veracity of Mr. Rezko’s allegations above.

24. President Obama has pertinent information as to the character of Mr. Rezko.
President Obama can testify to Mr. Rezko’s reputation for truthfulness as well as his own opinion of Mr. Rezko’s character. See, Fed. R. Evid. 405(a) and 608. Mr.
Rezko and President Obama became friends in 1990. According to President Obama, Mr. Rezko raised as much as $60,000 in campaign contributions for Obama.11

25. Based on the relationship that President Obama and Mr. Rezko had, President Obama can provide important information as to Mr. Rezko’s plan, intent, opportunity, habit and modus operandi. See, Fed. R. Evid. 404(b) and 406. For example, in June 2005, President Obama purchased a house for $1.65 million, $300,000 below the asking price. On the same day Tony Rezko’s wife, Rita, paid full price — $625,000 — for the adjoining land. In January 2006, Obama paid Mr. Rezko $104,500 for a strip of the adjoining land. The transaction took place when it was widely known that Mr. Rezko
was under investigation.12 President Obama’s relationship with Tony Rezko is
relevant and necessary Fed. R. Evid. 404(b) and 406 evidence.”

Motion to subpoena Obama redacted.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/90147306/Obama-subpoena-redacted

Motion to subpoena Obama redacted portions revealed.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/90147826/Obama-subpoena-revealed

Obama speech in Charlotte, NC September 6, 2012, Blagojevich appeal delayed like arrest in 2008, Tony Rezko behind bars, Obama Rezko pay to play politics not forgotten

Obama speech in Charlotte, NC September 6, 2012, Blagojevich appeal delayed like arrest in 2008, Tony Rezko behind bars, Obama Rezko pay to play politics not forgotten

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”…Citizen Wells, July 19, 2011

“Why did the Rezkos pay asking price for the lot adjacent to the Obama mansion, a lot which was subsequently valued 20 percent less?…Citizen Wells

“Why did Mutual Bank fire whistleblower Kenneth J Connor after he challenged the appraisal on the land purchased by Rita Rezko, just prior to the land sale to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

Before presenting the facts about the Obama Rezko lot purchase, I am waiting on clarification from a participant in this transaction. But since Barack Obama is speaking in my home state tonight in Charlotte, confidant once again that Rod Blagojevich is out of the limelight with his appeal delayed, just like his arrest was delayed in 2008, and Tony Rezko is behind bars, I just want to let Obama know that his ties to Rezko and Chicago pay to play politics are not forgotten.

Here is a good article from WND dated April 20, 2011.

“HOW CONVICTED FELON HELPED OBAMA BUY HOME”

“In the 2008 presidential campaign, now-convicted felon Tony Rezko’s role in helping Barack and Michelle Obama purchase their dream home at 5046 S. Greenwood Ave. in Chicago’s Hyde Park area created a scandal that threatened to derail Obama’s presidential hopes.

As the elements of the scandal emerged, Obama went into overdrive, holding extensive interview meetings with the staffs of Chicago’s two major newspapers, with his supporters rebutting and attacking critics and justifying Obama’s decisions.

The deal

Here are the key points in how Obama wanted to represent the home purchase once the criticism began:

  • When a prestige house across the street from Tony Rezko’s came on the market at 5046 S. Greenwood, Rezko must have thought it was just perfect for Barack and Michelle Obama and their two daughters. Rezko found the house for Obama. Salon.com reported that Donna Schwan of MetroPro Realty, the real estate agent who listed the property, recalled that the deal started when Rezko expressed interest in the listing,according to the Chicago Tribune.
  • The house was evidently perfect, a 96-year-old, multi-story, 6,400-square-foot, brick Georgian Revival home with four fireplaces, six bedrooms, six bathrooms, glass-door bookcases fashioned from Honduran mahogany, and a wine cellar large enough to store 1,000 bottles, the Tribune reported. The house was situated on a large double corner lot, with the vacant lot adjoining the home at the street corner. With a foot-tall concrete barrier and a wrought iron fence surrounding the property, there was no access to the vacant lot, except through Obama’s driveway.The neighborhood was in Kenwood, a South Side oasis of pricey homes attractive to the University of Chicago professors who liked to live close to work. The property would be a nice step-up for the Obama family seeking to move from the small Hyde Park condo the couple bought in 1993 for $277,500, where they lived in the eight years Obama was state senator, to a prestige home suitable for the family of a U.S. senator, the Boston Globe reported.The problem was that the doctor and his wife who owned the property, Fredrick E. Wondisford and Sally R. Radovick, wanted to sell the vacant lot and the house at the same time, even though the two properties were separately listed. Also, while the sellers wanted to find a buyer as quickly as possible, they did not want to close the deal until June 2005.
  • The list price just for the home was $1.95 million, outside the reach of the Obama family, even with Obama’s re-issued 1995 autobiography, “Dreams from My Father,” hitting bestseller lists, his U.S. Senate salary of $157,082, and Michelle’s 2005 income of $317,000 at the University of Chicago Hospitals, Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
  • Rezko came up with a solution. His wife Rita bought the vacant lot at the full asking price, permitting Obama and Michelle to negotiate buying the house for $1.65 million, a discount of $300,000 from the asking price.
  • Rita Rezko closed on the vacant lot the same day the Obamas closed on the house, paying $625,000 for the vacant lot.

“Both actions would be clear violations of Senate ethics rules baring the granting or asking of favors,”wrote John Fund in the Wall Street Journal.

The Boston Globe reported Obama asked Rezko’s advice in negotiating the deal – after all, Rezko was supposedly experienced with real estate, having negotiated so many low-income housing deals in Chicago – and Obama toured the house with Rezko before making an offer.

The Boston Globe also reported real estate agent Schwan’s recollection that the Obamas may not have made the highest bid, but the willingness of the Obamas and Rita Rezko to close in June was decisive.

This detail shows the importance of Rezko to the ability of the Obamas to buy their dream house. Had Rita Rezko not been willing to buy the vacant lot in June, “the deal was off.”

Obamas buy slice of vacant lot

After the Obamas moved in, the senator and his wife decided they wanted to buy a slice of the vacant lot.

The Boston Globe reported an independent appraisal of the entire vacant lot parcel was worth about $500,000, about $125,000 less than Rita had paid for it. The Obamas wanted to buy one-sixth of the vacant lot, to create a yard next to the house.

The appraisal said the strip Obama wanted to buy was worth only $40,500, because it was not suitable for building. Still, in January 2006, the Obamas paid Rita Rezko $104,500 for the one-sixth strip, a proportionate share of what Rita had paid for the entire vacant lot. Rita built a fence to separate out the rest of the vacant lot, and the deal was closed.

Obama hired an attorney and architect to design a wrought iron fence on the new property line, including the one-sixth of the vacant lot bought from Rita. Rezko agreed to pay the $14,000 cost of building the fence, and Obama agreed to pay his landscaper to mow Rita’s vacant lot for her, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Enter Michael J. Sreenan

Then, when Tony Rezko was indicted, Rita Rezko sold the vacant lot, evidently needing the funds.

The Chicago Tribune reported land records in the Cook County Recorder of Deeds database showed Rita sold the “garden lot” on Dec. 28, 2006, to a company owned by former Rezko business attorney Michael J. Sreenan that planned to develop housing on the lot.

Rita sold the remaining five-sixths of the vacant lot for $575,000, netting an estimated $54,500 from the sale. A spokesman for Obama said the senator was aware development was planned on the lot but denied he knew any of the details.

Following the sale of the lot, the blog Rezko Watch reported that following Obama’s marathon sessions with the Chicago Sun-Times and Tribune on March 14, 2008, Obama released a new list of Rezko-related campaign contributors whose money had been released to charity.

On the list was a $2,000 donation Michael Sreenan made to Obama on June 30, 2003.

Then Politico.com reported Sreenan made five other contributions totaling $3,500 to Obama on the same days other Rezko associates and employees contributed often matching sums.

Sreenan’s first contribution on record was a $1,000 check reported on the same March 2000 day that five other Rezko employees contributed a like sum. Evidently, Obama donated all these Rezko contributions to charity.

Then, in an article entitled “Obama is one lucky fellow,” Rezko Watch reported the Obamas had little to fear that Sreenan would actually construct any condos on the lot Sreenan bought from Rita Rezko.

According to Rezko Watch, Alderman Toni Preckwinkle has rejected plans from a prospective buyer who wanted to build a single-family home on the lot adjoining the Obama home, as well as a developer’s plans to put condos up there.

Preckwinkle declared that any home built on that land would have to be compatible with the neighborhood’s mansions.

Preckwinkle, Rezko Watch noted, is not only the Democratic Committeeman of the 4th Ward, but she is a known Obama supporter. The Chicago Sun-Times has reported Rezko was conveniently the long-time head of Preckwinkle’s campaign-finance committee. Six of Rezko’s problem housing projects are in Preckwinkle’s 4th Ward.

A ‘bonehead’ deal

After a year of taking heat in the local Chicago media over the Rezko scandal, Obama finally decided to face the music, coming into the offices of the Chicago Sun-Times on March 14, 2008, and the offices of the Chicago Tribune the same day, to give a lengthy opening statement and answer questions from the newspapers’ editorial staff and investigative reporters.

The Sun-Times bluntly asked Obama, “Why didn’t alarm bells go off when you agreed to buy a 10-foot-wide strip of property to buffer your home at the same time reports were coming out that [Rezko] was being investigated for alleged illegal influence-peddling?”

Obama answered, “Probably because I had known him for a long time, and he had acted in an above-board manner with me, and I considered him a friend. In retrospect it should have, so this was a mistake on my part.”

The newspaper pressed, reminding Obama that he had spoken a lot about judgment in his presidential campaign, asking if the decision to purchase the 10-foot-wide strip from Rezko was a judgment issue.

Obama repeated that the decision was a mistake, adding for emphasis, “I said it was a bonehead move. I think it is further evidence I am not perfect.” The comment “bonehead move” stuck and was repeated widely in the media after the interview.

In his prepared statement, Obama told the Sun-Times that Michelle fell in love with the house. The next day, in his prepared statement to the Tribune, Obama explained, “Michelle calls me and says, “I’m in, I love this house, but it’s more than we were talking about paying for, but I really think it’s a great house, you should go take a look at it.”

When the Tribune grilled Obama about whether he and Rezko had coordinated their bids so Obama could afford to buy the home at a discounted price, Obama admitted he and Rezko had toured the home together before making offers.

Obama denies wrongdoing

Obama told the Tribune he had a written statement from the sellers, saying “at no time did they ever consider the lot in relation to the price of the house, that they did not offer a discount on the house, that there was no contingency with respect to our house purchase relative to the lot.”

The transcript of the question-and-answer session clearly shows the Tribune staff had a hard time believing Obama. Yet, Obama persisted, denying he coordinated the purchase with Rezko.

Obama insisted he believed Rezko bought the vacant lot because Rezko thought it was a good business decision to develop it.

Obama could offer no explanation of why Rita Rezko bought the vacant lot, instead of her husband, and he complained that the sellers were private people who objected to reporters intruding into their lives with hostile questions.

The Tribune asked directly, “The issue of judgment is one of the keystones of your campaign right now. How should Americans look at this series of events that you’ve just laid out?”

Obama answered, “I think that the way they should view it is that I made a mistake in not seeing the potential conflicts of interest or appearances of impropriety.”

Still, he insisted, “They should see somebody who was not engaged in any wrongdoing, who did not in any way betray the public trust, who has maintained consistently high ethical standards and who they can trust.”

In his account of the interview, Tribune reporter David Jackson noted that the question-and-answer session was the first time Obama disclosed he and Rezko had toured the Kenwood home together.

“In his first accounts of the purchase, Obama did not divulge that tour,” Jackson wrote. “He said Friday that he simply didn’t feel the information was salient and insisted the tour didn’t mean he and Rezko coordinated their purchases.”

“Obama: I trusted Rezko,” was the way Jackson’s story was titled.”

http://www.wnd.com/2011/04/289529/

Obama Rezko problem not going away, Rezko Obama’s ghost of Christmas past in Chicago pay to play politics, Chicago Tribune Eric Zorn Obama ghostbuster?

Obama Rezko problem not going away, Rezko Obama’s ghost of Christmas past in Chicago pay to play politics, Chicago Tribune Eric Zorn Obama ghostbuster?

“Why did the Rezkos pay asking price for the lot adjacent to the Obama mansion, a lot which was subsequently valued 20 percent less?…Citizen Wells

“Why did Mutual Bank fire whistleblower Kenneth J Connor after he challenged the appraisal on the land purchased by Rita Rezko, just prior to the land sale to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

“As soon as all the corrections which happened to be necessary in any particular number of the Times had been assembled and collated, that number would be reprinted, the original copy destroyed, and the corrected copy placed on the files in it’s stead. This process of continuation alteration was applied not only to newspapers, but to books, periodicals, pamphlets, posters, leaflets, films, sound tracks, cartoons, photographs–to every kind of literature or documentation which might conceivably hold any political or ideological significance. Day by day and almost minute by minute the past was brought up to date. In this way every prediction made by the Party could be shown by documentary evidence to be correct; nor was any item of news, or expression of opinion, which conflicted with the needs of the moment, ever allowed to be on record.”…George Orwell, “1984″ 

 

Has Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune become the rectifier of Orwell’s “1984”, presenting negative information about Obama in a positive light, or perhaps one might call him the ghostbuster of Obama’s Christmas past, Tony Rezko, the spectre that won’t go away.

Zorn was highlighted at Citizen Wells on November 26, 2010 for protecting Obama.

“From Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune November 24, 2010.

“Because a Constitutional crisis is just what this nation needs right now”

“And since one must be a “natural-born citizen” to be president and Barack Obama’s father was not, as everyone acknowledges, a U.S. citizen, the whackjobs who have been unsuccessful in their “he was born in Kenya!” effort, are now hoping that the U.S. Supreme Court will help in their cause to declare him ineligible to hold office.””

“On the one hand, for a micro second, I want to congratulate Zorn for mentioning the Kerchner v Obama lawsuit being before the Supreme Court. But that feeling quickly evaporates when I digest the way he dismissed those questioning Obama as being “whackjobs.” He displays a total lack of understanding about Obama’s eligibility issues and the Kerchner case.

First of all, we don’t know where in the hell Obama was born, since he has avoided presenting a legitimate birth certificate. Secondly, Zorn has got some nerve calling a retired naval commander, LTC Terry Lakin, multiple generals and millions of concerned Americans “whackjobs.”

Eric Zorn, we have a constitutional crisis now, due to people like you in the media not doing your journalistic job.

Eric Zorn, call me. Get your facts straight before making an ass out of yourself.

Eric Zorn, why don’t you ask the question above?”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/eric-zorn-chicago-tribune-because-a-constitutional-crisis-is-just-what-this-nation-needs-right-now/

Why did Eric Zorn present the following on August 29, 2012?

“Fairy tale”

“When President Barack Obama’s relentless foes try to inject Tony Rezko and the “boneheaded” land deal between the men into the upcoming political discussion, you, a fair person, will want to refresh your memory and get your facts straight. Start here:

Let’s clarify the Obama deal with Rezko — `08 things you need to know about how and why the Obamas and Rezkos purchased adjoining properties in the Kenwood neighborhood on the same day in June, 2005

Here’s the unannotated version:

1. The deal could have gone down without Rezko.

2. The Obamas did not get a special discount on the house.

3. The sellers rejected two lower bids from the Obamas.

4. The Rezkos did not pay an inflated price for the vacant lot.

5. The Obamas did not get a special discount from the Rezkos when they later purchased a one-sixth strip of the vacant lot to enlarge their yard.

6. The Obamas did not receive or borrow any money from the Rezkos to buy their house.

7. Obama hasn’t done any political or personal favors for Rezko since this saga began.

8. The reason Obama is nevertheless correct in describing his actions here as “boneheaded” is that Rezko is and was a sleazeball.”

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2012/08/fairy-tale.html

A cursory examination reveals:

“1.  The deal could have gone down without Rezko. ”

Which deal are talking about? The house? The lot? Without too much thought and some basic knowledge such as the house & lot had to close on the same day, perhaps the deal would not have played out successfully without the Rezko’s cooperation.

“2. The Obamas did not get a special discount on the  house. ”

The Obamas paid much less than asking price and the Rezkos paid full price.

“6. The Obamas did not receive or borrow any money from the Rezkos to buy their house. ”

How does Zorn know that?

Instead of spending anymore time on this biased claptrap….

Mr. Zorn, et al, soon, perhaps tonight in celebration of Obama’s speech, I will present the results of real research and journalism. The facts regarding the Rezko Obama lot transactions.

Mr. Zorn, have you spent much time interviewing folks like Kenneth J. Conner?

Blagojevich prosecution delays protect Obama, Part 1, Blagojevich arrest delayed after 2008 election, Patrick Fitzgerald USDOJ had key witness and crimes

Blagojevich prosecution delays protect Obama, Part 1, Blagojevich arrest delayed after 2008 election, Patrick Fitzgerald USDOJ had key witness and crimes

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Blagojevich’s name has been mentioned often. It was brought up at least 30 times Wednesday morning by Stuart Levine, the government’s star witness against Rezko.”…Tony Rezko trial

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”…Citizen Wells, July 19, 2011

Part 1

The Blagojevich arrest was delayed

Was Barack Obama the original plan for the presidency by the DNC and Chicago Machine? Rod Blagojevich envisioned himself in that office. But in a high
profile position as Governor of Illinois, with brashness by nature and a less stealthy approach to pay to play politics than Obama, the feds began investigating him in 2003 and reports soon hit the Chicago media of corruption in his administration.

The bulk of the charges in the Criminal complaint, indictment and evidentiary proffer and indeed, what the Tony Rezko trial centered around, took place from 2003 to 2005. They include much activity involving the TRS, Teacher Retirement System, Hospital construction approval, a plan to shakedown Children’s Memorial Hospital, appointments to state government such as Ali Ata to the Illinois Finance Authority and real estate transactions involving Blagojevich’s wife Patti.

One of the clearest examples of impacting the citizens of Illinois was the corruption of the TRS.

2003: “Of the five funds, the one in the sorriest shape is the Illinois Teacher Retirement System, which provides the pensions for suburban and downstate
teachers. Its ratio of assets to liabilities stood at a mere 52 percent last year, so poor that it was considered among the five worst-funded plans in the
country.”  Chicago Magazine March 23, 2011

“Rezko’s partner in the Rezmar development company, Daniel Mahru, is referred to as “Individual Z” in the indictment, and according to court filings, Rezko told Mahru that “$500 million” of TRS money was earmarked for their company. Mahru is reportedly cooperating with federal investigators.”

“In addition to lining their own pockets, the money gained through the scheme was funneled to the campaigns of Blagojevich and Obama. Prosecutors have identified two $10,000 payments that were made to Obama’s US Senate campaign through straw donors Joseph Aramanda and Elie Maloof, which originated from a kickback paid by investment firm, Glencoe Capital, to secure approval for a $50 million deal. Evelyn Pringle, “Operation Board games for Slum Lords”

Hospitals:

“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.” Rezko trial, March 21, 2008 

So, why would the prosecution of Blagojevich be delayed despite the fact that he profoundly affected the citizens and state of IL?

  • Obama had a clear role in the rigging of the health planning board.
  • Obama played a role in cronyism affecting the TRS, Teacher Retirement System.
  • Obama had long time and regular associations with Tony Rezko and was as Blagojevich stated in a wiretap “more tony’d up than me.”
  • A blagojevich trial before the 2008 elections would have stopped Obama. Tony Rezko would not talk about Obama, Blagojevich did and would.

The following facts make the argument that Rod Blagojevich should have been arrested long before December 8, 2008 and before Tony Rezko.

  • Blagojevich began scheming as soon as he entered office. From the Blagojevich arrest press release. “The charges include historical allegations that Blagojevich and Harris schemed with others – including previously convicted defendants Antoin Rezko, Stuart Levine, Ali Ata and others – since becoming governor in 2002 to obtain and attempt to obtain financial benefits for himself, his family and third parties, including his campaign committee, Friends of Blagojevich, in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state employment, state contracts and access to state funds.”
  • Pamela Meyer Davis began wearing a secret FBI wiretap  in late 2003 to record conversations involving state health planning board.
  • Most of the corruption in the Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine and Rod Blagojevich indictments took place between 2003 and 2005. Counts 1, 2 and 4 in the Blagojevich Indictment were eventualy dropped. Those counts covered that time period and represented approximately half of the indictment.
  • “FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain, the primary case agent on the investigation into Levine and Rezko, is on the stand now in testimony that is laying the foundation for entering the wiretaps into evidence. Cain said the investigation, dubbed Operation Board Games by the federal agents, began in December 2003 and was prompted by information gleaned from an informant whom he did not identify. That witness, he said, took part in meetings with two other individuals who were in contact with Levine by phone at his home. Cain said Levine had three phone lines in his North Shore home. Federal agents recorded conversations on those lines April 8-May 21, 2004. Those dates span the time when Levine, Rezko and others allegedly were working to rig the hospital board vote on a Mercy Health System hospital proposal for Crystal Lake and other kickback schemes prosecutors claim they were engaged in.” Rezko trial March 12, 2008
  • June 7, 2004: Stuart Levine, member of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, abruptly resigns. This is the first indication that the Blagojevich administration is under federal criminal investigation.
  •  July 2, 2004: Stuart Levine resigns from the state Teachers’ Retirement System board.
  •  May 9, 2005: Stuart Levine indicted on corruption charges. Federal subpoena issued to Tony Rezko.
  •  Sept. 15, 2005: Joseph Cari, former lawyer for the state’s teacher’s pension board pleads guilty to extortion. A high ranking public official is described in court documents only as “Public official A.”
  •  Oct. 25, 2005: The Chicago Tribune reports about a federal grand jury investigation into the alleged political hiring practices of the Blagojevich administration.
  •  Aug. 5, 2006: The Chicago Tribune reports that Stuart Levine is cooperating with the federal investigation of state government.
  • Sometime  between May 9, 2005 and August 5, 2006, Levine has begun cooperating with the feds. Levine knows almost as much as Rezko and becomes the key witness in the Rezko trial and other prosecutions. The Feds know plenty about Blagojevich at this point.
  •  Oct. 11, 2006: Tony Rezko is indicted on federal charges he sought millions of dollars in kickbacks and campaign donations from firms seeking state business.
  • So far everything seems normal and makes sense.  The next move should be to indict Blagojevich. Blagojevich, the governor, versus Rezko, the businessman, has the power to corrupt state government, has been doing so and thanks to Levine, the Feds know the details. If you have any doubts about this, read the transcripts of the Rezko trial. For example: “Gov. Rod Blagojevich has avoided answering questions about the corruption trial of Antoin “Tony” Rezko, the other day declaring, “I’m not in that case.” But Blagojevich’s name has been mentioned often. It was brought up at least 30 times Wednesday morning by Stuart Levine, the government’s star witness against Rezko. Rezko trial March 19, 2008.
  • Patrick Fitzgerald and the feds wait over 2 years, until December 9, 2008 to arrest Blagojevich and then state they are trying to protect the citizens of Illinois. From the Government’s Sentencing Memorandum, signed by Patrick Fitzgerald and filed on November 30, 2011: “By way of comparison, Antoin Rezko,…received a sentence of 126 months imprisonment for corrupt activity that he engaged in directly with Blagojevich or with Blagojevich’s tacit approval. Yet, Rezko:(a) held no elected office of trust;”
  • Oct. 22, 2006: Obama publicly states he is considering a run for the Presidency.
  • Oct. 27, 2006: Stuart Levine pleads guilty in a scheme to squeeze millions of dollars from firms seeking state business. Court papers contain  allegations that Rezko and  Christopher Kelly were using their influence for corrupt purposes.
  • November 7, 2006 USA Today reports: “Despite scandal, Gov. Blagojevich wins re-election in Illinois” “U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has said he is investigating “very serious” allegations of hiring fraud at multiple agencies under Blagojevich.”
    http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2006/IL/2006-11-07-governor_x.htm
  • January 16, 2007:”Judicial Watch filed an open records lawsuit against the office of Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-IL), who is under federal investigation on several fronts, including corrupt hiring practices. Judicial Watch’s lawsuit, filed on January 16, 2007 in the Cook County, Illinois Circuit Court, specifically seeks, among other documents, any and all grand jury subpoenas received by the Governor’s office or any state agencies under the Governor’s control.”  http://www.judicialwatch.org/blagojevich
  • October 28, 2007 the Chicago Tribune reports: “Removing a governor” “The public disappointment in Rod Blagojevich, whose tenure follows the corrupt regime of George Ryan, should launch a public debate: Do the people of this state want a way to say to their politicians, “You are serving your interests, not ours. You are dismissed.”” http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2007/11/gnad.html
  • May 2, 2008 a governor recall initiative was narrowly defeated. “State government is hemorrhaging with scandal and corruption,”  Sen. Dan Cronin, sponsor.
  • June 4, 2008 Tony Rezko convicted on 16 of 24 counts. Counts 1, 11, 12, 14, 15 were related to Mercy Hospital and the rigging of the Planning Board.
  • Dec. 9, 2008 Blagojevich is arrested. “Fitzgerald said, “We make no allegations” that Obama was aware of any alleged scheming by Blagojevich.”
  • Jan. 9, 2009 IL House votes 114 to 1 to impeach Blagojevich.
  •  Jan 29, 2009 IL Senate removes Blagojevich from office.

Having read the above, forget for a moment the supposition that Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department were protecting Obama and ask the simple question:

Why was Blagojevich left in office until December 2008?

Good question, eh?

Some truths are ageless and I often quote Shakespeare.

For example:

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

Patrick Fitzgerald stated after the Blagojevich arrest:

“The complaint makes no allegations about the president-elect whatsoever.”

“We make no allegations that he’s aware of anything.”

“But we ask that the press, in particular, recognize that we are not casting aspirsions on people other than the two people we charged and bear that in mind and be responsible.”

Fitzgerald admits that the crime spree had been going on for years.

“I just think it’s very, very disturbing that we have these pay-to-play allegations going on for years.”

Yes, disturbing.

And I would add, criminal.

I stand by earlier statements that the selling of the senate seat was a well crafted diversion. The facts presented above and in coming articles will make this intuitively obvious.

Below are some resources for further reading.

Blagojevich arrest press release

http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2008/pr1209_01.pdf

Blagojevich Criminal Complaint

http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2008/pr1209_01a.pdf

Blagojevich Second superceding indictment

http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2010/pr0204_02a.pdf

Blagojevich Evidentiary Proffer

http://blogs.suntimes.com/blago/PROFFER.pdf

Rezko trial transcripts

http://blogs.suntimes.com/rezko/2008/03/

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,335592,00.html

Rezko trial transcripts related to the rigging of the planning board

https://citizenwells.com/2010/06/02/blagojevich-trial-transcripts-rezko-trial-testimony-il-health-planning-facilities-board-obama-chairman-of-il-senate-committee-blagojevich-rezko-levine-obama/

Evelyn Pringle articles

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

Blagojevich trial pre trial events and facts

https://citizenwells.com/2010/05/22/blagojevich-trial-pre-trial-events-and-facts/

Obama ties to Chicago corruption still haunt, Obama’s Ghosts of Christmas Past, Blagojevich appeal delay hard evidence of conspiracy to obstruct justice

Obama ties to Chicago corruption still haunt, Obama’s Ghosts of Christmas Past, Blagojevich appeal delay hard evidence of conspiracy to obstruct justice

“There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.”

“You will be haunted,” resumed the Ghost, “by Three Spirits.”

“I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.”
“Long Past?”
“No. Your past.”…Charles Dicken, “A Christmas Carol”

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”…Citizen Wells, July 19, 2011

I recently issued a request for citizen journalists to assist in researching an important story that is playing out before us in real time.

The Rod Blagojevich appeal process has been delayed in direct contradiction to US Court rules and guidelines. The court reporter for Judge James Zagel, the person responsible for producing trial transcripts needed for the appeal, took a 5 and 1/2 month leave of absence and now has filed a request for an extension. She now claims to have the transcripts ready by late September.

Read the guidelines for yourself. The Court Reporter has accountability, Judge James Zagel has accountability and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has accountability.

This case impacts a former governor and current occupant of the White House.

Over the past almost 4 years I have presented compelling circumstantial evidence why Blagojevich should have been arrested much earlier and before Tony Rezko. Certainly not after the 2008 election to protect Obama.

There is so much to keep up with about Obama, some may have forgotten some details and new readers come along, so I will be presenting some information again.

In part 1 of a multi part series, I will lay out the facts in detail that support my contention. To paraphrase Dickens, it is important to know this information to understand what is happening now.

Part 1 – Events leading up to the Blagojevich arrest.

Part 2 – Prosecution.

Part 3 – Appeal.

Oh, and by the way, another spectre from Obama’s past is about to pay him a visit soon. I will say more about this when I am permitted.

Obama Rezko Chicago corruption ties news making but hidden, Mutual Bank v Mahajan update, August 30, 2012, Judge Kendall motion ruling, Obama 2005 tax return

Obama Rezko Chicago corruption ties news making but hidden, Mutual Bank v Mahajan update, August 30, 2012, Judge Kendall motion ruling, Obama 2005 tax return

“Why is news about the FDIC lawsuit, Mutual Bank v. Mahajan, the bank that loaned the Rezkos money for the Obama lot, so hard to find?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Obama switch to Harvey Wineberg’s firm to have his 2005 tax return prepared?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Mutual Bank fire whistleblower Kenneth J Connor after he challenged the appraisal on the land purchased by Rita Rezko, just prior to the land sale to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

There are 3 cases I have been checking on daily.

1. The status of the Blagojevich appeal.
2. The status of the Kenneth J. Conner whistleblower lawsuit.
3. The staus of the FDIC Mutual Bank lawsuit against Amrish Mahajan, et al.

All of the above reveal Obama Chicago corruption ties.

My daily activities include checking the docket for the US District Court Northern District Illinois, the courts of the Rezko and Blagojevich prosecutions and FDIC Mutual Bank lawsuit. By doing so, I discovered the following hearing.

The FDIC lawsuit against Amrish Mahajan, former president of Mutual Bank, et al is scheduled for a status hearing in the courtroom of Judge Virginia M. Kendall on July 19, 2012. Mutual Bank loaned Rita Rezko the money for the lot that was purchased by the Obama’s. It is also the bank that fired whistleblower Kenneth J. Conner after he questioned the appraisal of that lot.

Daily Calendar

Thursday, July 19, 2012 (As of 07/12/12 at 06:48:37 AM )

Honorable Virginia M. Kendall               Courtroom 2319 (VMK)

1:11-cv-07590 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporatio 09:00 Status Hearing

http://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/home/DailyCal/0.htm

After doing some more digging, I discovered that Judge Kendall had ruled on the motion to dismiss. More later on why I had to dig.

Mutual Bank v. Mahajan
Case Number: 1:11-cv-07590

“In May 2005, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (the “IDFPR”) conducted an examination of the Bank and delivered its report to the Board on June 10, 2005. That report warned the Board that its high concentration in hotel loans carried more risk than other properties, and that many of the loans the Bank extended were inappropriately based on
projections rather than historical data and/or had collateral consisting of distressed properties. The 2005 report also noted that many of the properties securing gas and convenience store loans were difficult for the Bank to monitor for collateral purposes as they were outside the Bank’s immediate
market area. As a result of the 2005 report, IDFPR regulators made several recommendations to manage risk, yet these recommendations were not followed by the Bank.”

“In May 2006, the FDIC investigated the Bank and delivered its report to the Board on July 29, 2006. The 2006 report again raised concerns about the Bank’s risk management, record asset growth, and lack of increase in staffing to keep pace with the increase in the loan portfolio. The 2006 report also stressed the geographic dispersion of properties subject to loans, and potential
flaws with asset quality. As with the 2005 report, the 2006 report made recommendations to enhance risk management which were again not followed by the Bank.”

http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/illinois/ilndce/1:2011cv04545/257510/54/0.pdf?ts=1344338689

The Obama 2005 tax return is interesting.

From Citizen Wells August 14, 2012.

“Read the following sequence of events and decide for yourself if it looks suspicious.

Lawrence A. Horwich & Associates prepared the Obama’s 2004 tax return.

June 15, 2005: Obama purchases home next door to Rezko for $1.65 million, $300,000 less than the asking price.

June 15, 2005: Rita Rezko, Tony’s wife purchased plot next door for $625,000 asking price.

Late 2005 early 2006: From the Kenneth J. Conner complaint against Mutual Bank filed Oct. 16, 2008. The lawsuit is still active.

“11. In late 2005 or early 2006, Conner performed an appraisal review of the Adams Appraisal (Exhibit C) per the directive of Richard Barth and James Murphy. Conner prepared a written Appraisal Review report (ARR) opining that the Adams Appraisal overvalued the Greenwood lot by a minimum of $ 125,000.00″

“18. On October 23, 2007, eight days after Conner’s October 15, 2007 email to Schlabach attached as Exhibit J, Mutual Bank terminated Conner’s employment for pretextual reasons.”

Conner later told World Net daily when he initially was fired, that the bank and the Rezkos were engaged in “fraud, bribes or kickbacks, use whatever term you want,” to benefit the Obamas.

Soon after the Blagojevich arrest, Conner was interviewed by investigators from Fitzgerald’s office.
Jan. 2006: Rita Rezko sells the Obamas one-sixth of her lot for $104,500.

Harvey Wineberg’s firm prepared the Obama’s 2005 tax return.

Harvey Wineberg is on the Obama house deed.

“WND reported in December 2008 that William Miceli, the attorney for convicted political operative Tony Rezko and a fundraiser for Obama, owns the Obama home at 5046 S. Greenwood.

Miceli is a lawyer at the Chicago law firm Miner, Barnhill & Galland, which employed Obama when he did legal work for Rezko.”

“Now, a search of records shows that, in addition to Miceli, the Obama mansion is owned by Chicago Probate Judge Jane L. Stuart and Obama accountant Harvey Wineberg, both of whom are paying taxes on the property.”

http://www.wnd.com/2011/04/289501/

December 09, 2010

The President also announced his intent to appoint Harvey S. Wineberg as a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability.  His biography is below.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/09/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts

By the way,  Harvey Wineberg was the Treasurer of Obama’s 2004 Senate campaign and a bundler for Obama’s 2008 campaign.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/obama-tax-returns-for-2004-and-2005-rezko-deals-why-did-obama-have-harvey-wineberg-prepare-2005-tax-return-why-is-wineberg-on-deed-why-did-wineberg-get-administration-post/

Obama Chicago corruption ties are still news makers, they are just not making the news.

Except here.

 

Obama Chicago style corruption continues, Blagojevich appeal delayed, Appeal of former governor affecting White House delayed, Obama judicial appointments provide clues?

Obama Chicago style corruption continues, Blagojevich appeal delayed, Appeal of former governor affecting White House delayed, Obama judicial appointments provide clues?

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Why has the production of transcripts for the Blagojevich Appeal been allowed to be delayed far beyond US Court guidelines and who permitted this to happen?”…Citizen Wells

With all of the huge Obama corruption, radical ties and hidden records stories we have tried to get reported, one of the biggest scandals ever to hit this country is playing out now. It is barely being reported and mostly here.

I am calling for all citizen journalists to join in this effort. To bring this enormous chicanery to the surface & discover who is orchestrating it.

As some of you know, and predicted here in 2011, the Blagojevich appeal process is being delayed.

What is the biggest reason for the delay?

The court reporter assigned to Judge James Zagel took a 5 and 1/2 month leave of absence.

Your response might be, well things like this happen, and that is true. However, there are strict guidelines, especially when a case is being appealed.

And this case impacts a former governor and sitting occupant of the White House.

Judges are in general terms considered supervisors of court reporters, but I wanted more clarification. Eralier today I called the Court Reporter Coordinator, Brooke Wilson. I received a voice message indicating she will return next Tuesday.

My next move was to present an article on the court reporter and associated rules. However, my mind began playing connect the dots and I then began looking for connections to district court judges for the Northern District of Illinois.

Here are the judges listed on the website:

Judge Bucklo
Judge Castillo
Judge Chang
Judge Coleman
Judge Darrah
Judge Der-Yeghiayan
Judge Dow Jr.
Judge Feinerman
Judge Gettleman
Judge Gottschall
Judge Holderman
Judge Kapala
Judge Kendall
Judge Kennelly
Judge Kocoras
Judge Lee
Judge Lefkow
Judge Leinenweber
Judge Norgle
Judge Pallmeyer
Judge Shadur
Judge St. Eve
Judge Tharp
Judge Zagel

http://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/clerksoffice/judicial/CourtReporters.aspx

Judge St. Eve presided over the Rezko and Levine trial and sentencing. She took part in the delay of sentencing of Rezko until November 22, 2011 and Levine June 28, 2012.

Judge Zagel presided over both trials of Blagojevich and made several controversial rulings and statements. He also, presumably supervises his court reporter, Blanca Lara. Regardless, he has accountability for her job performance.

Judge Kendall is presiding over the trial of FDIC lawsuit, Mutual Bank v. Mahajan . Mutual Bank loaned the Rezkos the money for the lot purchase that was sold to the Obamas. Mutual Bank also fired whistleblower Kenneth J. Conner who questioned the appraisal of the lot. The lawsuit is still active and moving slowly.

Judges Chang, Coleman, Feinerman, Lee and Tharp were appointed by Obama.

From NBC Chicago November 10, 2011.

“President Obama on Thursday nominated two men for federal judgeships in the Northern District of Illinois, both of whom once worked at the same law firm as his current chief of staff, Bill Daley.

Nominated Thursday were John Lee, a partner specializing in commercial litigation at Freeborn & Peters law firm, and John Tharp, a partner at Mayer Brown and co-leader of its securities litigation and enforcement practice.

Daley was once a partner at Mayer Brown.”

“Lee began his legal career as a trial attorney in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the United States Department of Justice. He received his J.D. in 1992 from Harvard Law School and his A.B. in 1989 from Harvard College. He worked as an associate at Mayer Brown from 1994 to 1996 and at Grippo & Elden from 1996 to 1999. He’s currently a partner at Freeborn & Peters.

Tharp served in the United States Marine Corps for five years before earning law degrees at Northwestern University and Duke University. He worked in private practice at Kirkland & Ellis from 1991 to 1992 and is currently partner at Mayer Brown.”

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/obama-district-court-judges-northern-illinois-133670588.html

This has never been about me and never will be.

I am requesting that you help in this investigation.

I am also requesting that you contact other organizations like Hannity Radio, Rush Limbaugh, Breitbart, WND, etc.

I do not care who gets credit for this. It will take a collective effort from concerned Americans.

Let’s roll!