William Cellini trial, Chicago businessman, The Pope of Illinois politics, Bill Cellini 101, Cellini 101, Cellini Blagojevich Rezko Levine Obama
“Why was Obama in constant contact with Tony Rezko in 2004 when Rezko was conspiring with William Cellini to use TRS, Teacher Retirement Fund, assets for political gain and personal enrichment?”…Citizen Wells
“Illinois is Six Degrees of Bill Cellini.”…John Kass, Chicago Tribune
“There is enough corruption in Illinois so that all it takes is someone who is serious about finding it to uncover it. If a U.S. attorney is not finding corruption in Illinois, they’re not seriously looking for it.”…Northwestern Law Professor James Lindgren
The William Cellini trial is scheduled for October 3, 2011. Tony Rezko and Stuart Levine have not been sentenced. Until recently, the major news sources have been mostly quiet about Cellini even though, as John Kass of the Tribune stated “Illinois is six degrees of Cellini.” Here are some recent articles.
From the Chicago Tribune July 3, 2011.
“The marquee event in a federal investigation into Rod
Blagojevich’s governorship, Blagojevich’s own trial, is over — but the
legal saga that stretches back nearly a decade isn’t quite at an end.
The last big trial in the case is that of businessman William Cellini,
a Springfield Republican dubbed “The Pope” of Illinois politics for
his influence in the halls of state power dating back to the 1960s.”
“Both Blagojevich and the jailed Rezko are expected to be sentenced
toward the end of the year. Two former chiefs of staff for
Blagojevich, John Harris and Lon Monk — both of whom testified against
their former boss at his retrial — must also be sentenced.”
“Cellini’s trial for fraud and extortion conspiracy, set to start Oct.
3, is the next case related to Operation Board Games, a sprawling
probe by federal prosecutors in Chicago into corruption in the
administration of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.”
“The trial had been scheduled for Aug. 22, but in a motion agreed to by
Cellini, prosecutors said they had “unforeseen personal conflicts”
with that date and asked that it be delayed. In its filing, the
government estimated the trial could take up to four weeks.”
“Cellini lost a bid in 2009 to suppress wiretapped conversations.
However, motions regarding that request have been sealed or heavily
redacted, so it’s unclear what the substance of those conversations
was.”
“Key dates
Spring 2003: According to the federal indictment, William Cellini and
Stuart Levine agree to ask Chris Kelly and Tony Rezko to use their
influence in the Rod Blagojevich administration to defeat a plan to
consolidate the Teachers’ Retirement System with other state
retirement systems.
Spring 2004: Blagojevich reappoints Levine to the TRS board.
April 2004: Levine tells Rezko they could force Capri Capital to pay
to get $220 million in TRS funds to investment, according to the
indictment. Levine is to have Cellini tell Capri principal Thomas
Rosenberg that Capri will not receive the investment allocation unless
Rosenberg contributes to Blagojevich’s campaign.
May 2004: Cellini agrees to deliver the ultimatum to Rosenberg,
according to the indictment.
May 7, 2004: Cellini allegedly tells Rosenberg that Capri has not
received the investment funds because it had not made campaign
contributions.
May 8, 2004: Cellini tells Levine that Rosenberg threatened to inform
law enforcement of the alleged extortion attempt, according to the
indictment.
May 10, 2004: Cellini tells Kelly about Rosenberg’s threats, the
indictment says. Cellini and Levine talk about ways to convince
Rosenberg not to go to law enforcement.
May 11, 2004: Cellini, Kelly, Levine and Rezko agree that it’s too
risky to withhold investment funds from Capri Capital, according to
the indictment. But they agree that Capri Capital will not receive
more money.
May 25, 2004: The TRS board agrees to give Capri Capital $220 million to invest.
Summer 2004: Cellini, Kelly and Rezko discuss having TRS executive
director Jon Baumann moved from his position so that he won’t
cooperate with law enforcement, according to the indictment.
Summer and fall 2004: Cellini and Rezko discuss having Chicago-area
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald removed from his position to stop a
criminal investigation, the indictment says.
June 4, 2008: Rezko is convicted on 16 of 24 charges. However, the
eight charges on which Rezko is found not guilty include those
involving Cellini, Rosenberg and Capri Capital.
Oct. 30, 2008: Cellini indicted for the first time. He faces four counts.
April 2, 2009: Cellini indicted for a second time, along with Rod and
Robert Blagojevich, Lon Monk, John Harris and Kelly. Cellini faces
three counts in the new indictment.
Sept. 12, 2009: Kelly commits suicide.
Nov. 16, 2009: Cellini’s case separated from the trial of the
Blagojevich brothers.
Oct. 3, 2011: Cellini case scheduled to go to trial.”
In the Chicago Tribune article, Paul Green, who teaches politics at Chicago’s Roosevelt University, states “Very little is known about him except by inside players,”.
Oh really?
My hat is off to the Rockford Register Star for posting an article about William Cellini with substance. However, there are a few items from many mentions of Cellini at the Tony Rezko which should be noted.
March 6, 2008
“Prosecutor Carrie Hamilton talks about how Highland Park businessman
Stuart Levine is central to the government case “
“She also explains how William Cellini, a powerful Republican power
broker, was also allegedly central to many of the alleged kickback
schemes at the Teacher’s Retirement System.
Hamilton finished remarks after an hour. She did not mention the name
of Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, whose U.S. Senate
campaign in 2004 allegedly was the beneficiary of $20,000 in campaign
cash from intermediaries in the kickback schemes the government says
were orchestrated by Rezko.”
March 21, 2008
“That’s where Levine’s testimony is headed right now as he details how
he and Republican insider William Cellini staged a coup to take
control of the Teachers’ Retirement System, the $30 billion pension
fund for most Illinois teachers. Cellini had worked with Levine in the
past on corrupt business deals, Levine has testified. Prosecutors say
Levine and Rezko corrupted the pension fund, plotting to steer tens of
millions of dollars in investments to favored money managers in
exchange for a secret split of finder’s fees for those investments.”
To learn more about William Cellini and Chicago corruption.
“Why has the mainstream media avoided coverage of the William Cellini trial? Why are Chicago news stories being scrubbed or altered?”…Citizen Wells
“Why was Obama in constant contact with Tony Rezko in 2004 when Rezko was conspiring with William Cellini to use TRS, Teacher Retirement Fund, assets for political gain and personal enrichment?”…Citizen Wells
“Connections could touch every somebody”
“Illinois is Six Degrees of Bill Cellini.”…John Kass, Chicago Tribune
The Blagojevich fake trial continues today with the jury returning after a 3 day break. The diversionary news about Blagojevich has been reported.
From Citizen Wells June 14, 2011.
“When was the last time that a Republican, with a history of shady deals, corruption figure connections, tied to Rezko, Blagojevich, et al, indicted for corruption involving a teacher retirement fund and scheduled for trial soon, was not being scrutinized, examined under a microscope and found guilty in the press?
Can you imagine such a scenario?
We have one now in the indictment and upcoming trial of William Cellini.
This has become another “deer in the headlights” question. I have run this question by some of my more left leaning friends. They have no response or choose to withhold it.
I have another question for you. When was the last time that you saw a news organization the size of Citizen Wells get positions 1 through 4 and 6 in a major search engine search?
And of course we have the Chicago Tribune scrubbing their article of December 2, 2010.
And something suspicious happened with a Chicago Sun-Times article of a few months ago about Daniel Frawley, a Rezko associate.
Has something happened in regard to William Cellini that the big players know about or are they simply perpetuating status quo in protecting Obama?
Blagojevich trial June 17, 2011, Jurors head home, No verdict, Lawyers met with Judge Zagel
“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich
“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 Sun-Times February 10, 2008
From the Chicago Sun-Times June 16, 2011.
“Jurors in Rod Blagojevich’s case concluded their fifth day of deliberations Thursday without reaching a verdict. But they did send the judge their first substantive question.
The panel of 11 women and one man sent U.S. District Judge James Zagel a note asking for clarification on an instruction of law that had to do with the wire fraud counts against the impeached governor. Out of the 20 counts pending against Blagojevich, 10 of them are wire fraud counts that largely deal with an allegation that he tried to trade an appointment to the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama for a campaign contribution or job. To conclude Blagojevich was guilty of wire fraud, jurors must find the prosecution proved he committed four elements of wire fraud beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“Meanwhile, Sam Adam Jr., one of Blagojevich’s lead attorneys during his first trial and who is still listed as an attorney in the case, was seen in the courthouse Thursday shortly after lawyers were called to meet privately with Zagel. The typically outspoken Adam, who has given TV and radio interviews discussing the Blagojevich case as recently as earlier this week, would not answer media questions on Thursday.
“I must decline comment,” he said. “I cannot tell you why.””
Blagojevich trial jury, William Cellini trial, Obama trial, Operation Board Games players tied to Rezko
“Why was Obama in constant contact with Tony Rezko in 2004 when Rezko was conspiring with William Cellini to use TRS, Teacher Retirement Fund, assets for political gain and personal enrichment?”…Citizen Wells
“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich
“There is enough corruption in Illinois so that all it takes is someone who is serious about finding it to uncover it. If a U.S. attorney is not finding corruption in Illinois, they’re not seriously looking for it.”…Northwestern Law Professor James Lindgren
The jury in the Rod Blagojevich trial has been given their instructions and ordinarily I might say are determining the fate of Blagojevich. However, it is apparent to me that the fate of Blagojevich, Rezko and Obama was sealed in 2006 when the fix was cast. The trial of William Cellini is scheduled to begin in August.
From the Chicago Tribune and John Kass November 16, 2008.
“Watching the quiet little man with the fresh Julius Caesar haircut plead innocent Friday to federal extortion and corruption charges, I wondered:
Was I in Chicago, or in Rome before the fall?
“Not guilty,” said William Cellini, 74, in a whisper.
Cellini wore a nice blue suit. What he didn’t wear was a neon sign on his head pronouncing him the boss hog of the Republican half of the bipartisan Illinois Combine that runs this state with Chicago machine Democrats.
Bill Cellini doesn’t need a neon sign. Everybody who is somebody knows who he is. He’s said to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Not bad for public service.
To fully appreciate our politics you’ve got to look at the connections. Sadly, this task is beyond the national press and some locals besotted with our renowned vintage, Combine Kool Aid.”
“Cellini is accused of helping shake down a Hollywood producer and politically connected Chicago investor Thomas Rosenberg for $1.5 million in campaign cash for Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Cellini also is accused as a point man in a plot to remove U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald as federal prosecutor.”
“Illinois is Six Degrees of Bill Cellini.
Amazingly, Webb and Cellini are listed together on the board of directors of Lakeside Bank, run by the politically influential Cacciatore family.
One of the original Lakeside Bank investors is Fred Bruno Barbara, the Bridgeport trucking boss, waste management expert and close friend/fashionista of Mayor Richard Daley.
Barbara came up in testimony in the federal Family Secrets trial of mob bosses. A witness said Barbara, who was not charged, went along on fire-bombing runs with Chinatown crew chief Angelo “the Hook” LaPietra.”
“The Combine wants Fitzgerald promoted out of town. But President-elect Barack Obama has promised newspaper editorial boards he would keep Fitzgerald in Chicago to fight political corruption.
That’s the same President-elect Obama with Mayor Daley’s guy Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff, and another Daley guy, David Axelrod, as Obama’s chief strategist. The mayor’s brother Billy is one of Obama’s chief economic advisers. Whew!
Some political analysts become quite upset when “Daley machine” and “Obama” are mentioned in my column. They feel compelled to give me a vigorous corrective. But this same Flat Earth society denied the existence of a Combine for years, then shut up for a while when Obama’s real estate fairy Tony Rezko was convicted in the federal government’s Operation Board Games probe.
The case exposed the Combine in detail, illustrating how Republican and Democratic insiders stacked state pension boards to reap millions upon millions in pension investment fees. The Cellini case is fruit of Rezko’s tree.”
Cellini did not get Patrick Fitzgerald removed from Chicago, or did he?
Feb 12, 2009
“US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who brought criminal fraud charges against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, will stay on with the Obama administration”…Pete Williams, NBC
July 30, 2009
Patrick Fitzgerald was named interim chairman of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC).
As long as Obama controls the US Justice Department, there will be no Obama trial.
Blagojevich trial May 23, 2011, Blagojevich defense begins, Prominent witnesses to be called, What about Tony Rezko
“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells
“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich
“Why were Stuart Levine and Tony Rezko not called as witnesses in the Blagojevich trials? FBI agent Daniel Cain testified in the Rezko trial. Why was agent Cain not questioned more in the Blagojevich trial?…Citizen Wells
The prosecution rested it’s so called case against Rod Blagojevich last Thursday. Only a snippet of the corruption that Blagojevich was involved in at least by 2003 has been presented. And of course, the plan to avoid presenting any evidence that links Obama to this corruption has been skillfully executed in the best Orwellian tradition. This includes not calling the unsentenced Tony Rezko to the witness stand.
From SaukValley.com May 23, 2011.
“Television reruns rarely attract the same audience and attention as they did the first time around.
The retrial of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich seems to be playing out the same way.
Last summer, the 6-week trial kept Illinoisans’ attention as revelation after unsavory revelation about their former governor came forth from the federal courtroom in Chicago.”
“This time around, there is little new information coming out of the courtroom, so coverage – and public interest – is less than before.
The media frenzy is less. The last time the Associated Press moved a fresh Blagojevich photo taken at the trial scene was 3 weeks ago.
Federal prosecutors greatly simplified their case, reducing the corruption counts to 20, reducing their witnesses to 15, and presenting their case in a nifty 3 weeks – half the time of last year’s trial.
Blagojevich’s legal team did not present a defense at the first trial, but they say they plan to do so this time. The defense is scheduled to begin its case Wednesday.
What will that defense be?
Blagojevich’s lawyers must deal with the federal government’s five main charges:
n That Blagojevich tried to sell an appointment to a U.S. Senate seat, once held by President Barack Obama; and
n That Blagojevich sought campaign contributions in exchange for four public acts: providing a state grant to a school, sending more state money to a hospital, supporting a boost in tollway construction, and signing a bill beneficial to the horse racing industry.
The defense team has active subpoenas for “people of some prominence and activities,” according to Blagojevich lawyer Sheldon Sorosky. They include Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, D-Chicago.
However, the big question is, Will Blagojevich take the stand in his own defense?”
Blagojevich trial avoids tainting Obama with Rezko, Obama and Patrick Fitzgerald violate US Constitution
“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells
“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich
“The last thing Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Rod Blagojevich needed was that letter written by convicted Illinois influence peddler Tony Rezko promising he’d never rat out his pals.”…John Kass, Chicago tribune
The Citizen Wells blog has for several years pointed out the efforts of Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department to protect Obama in the “prosecution” of Rod Blagojevich.
From Nuclear Chicago May 12, 2011.
“As an update to my continuing effort to construct a biography of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald as well as provide special reporting related to the retrial of Milorad Blagojevich, I am writing this morning to officially report upon and inform The May Report and NuclearChicago readership of the following:
Speculative Scenario A). Is Team Blagojevich sandbagging or laying-upon its sword to benefit both the Obama and Emanuel Administrations (i.e., The-Fix-is-In )? or
Speculative Scenario B). Does Team Blagojevich feel that its picked the “perfect” Jury to simply peddle a softly-dark comedy – Blago & The Bad News Bears?
Under either of the above-scenario’s…..U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald (and we the Taxpayers) may be auditioning for a coveted-spot on NBC’s The Biggest Loser.”
“4). To date, I have already witnessed a series of very telling moments during the retrial that often go unreported by our local mainstream media. Another telling moment that often goes unreported in our local media is just how strategic, cerebral and calculating Governor Blagojevich comes across during the replay of the wiretaps. Same political calculus and cunning often get marginalized by the more sensational “F-Bomb laced recordings” played in open court. As an aside, the “F-Bomb laced recordings” are, at times, piss-in-your-pants hilarious.
Specifically, Blagojevich mentions (via wiretaps) on several occasions just how toxic and politically-nuclear his mere presence is to the then pending Obama Administration visa vi Blagojevich’s relationship with Obama confidante – Atoin “Tony” Rezko.
Aside from often complaining on the wiretaps about how the Mainstream Press often displaces “everything Rezko” on Blagojevich while providing Obama’s Rezko involvement with a Hall Pass, Blagojevich clearly incorporates this same Rezko toxicity factor into tactics Blagojevich used in developing his Quid Pro Quo strategy with the Obama Administration (and emissaries) as, per the wiretaps, Blagojevich clearly communicates a legitimate option of inserting himself as the bona fide replacement for Obama’s U.S. Senate seat. Further, it is my understanding that statutorily – Blagojevich had a legitimate legal basis for self-appointment to same U.S. Senate Seat.”
“5). I will expand upon the relevance of the Blagojevich self-appointment (and U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s presumable understanding of relevance based upon his actions) in a later report as same relevance has gone under-reported via mainstream media, however, it is important for readership to understand that the “exponentially enhanced probability” of a Blagojevich self-appointment was politically-nuclear and toxic to The Obama Administration. Moreover, its become very clear via the wiretaps that Rod Blagojevich attempted to leverage (or blackmail) the Obama Administration with same politically-nuclear-Rezko-toxicity under the prevailing logic that the Obama Administration wants to surgically remove itself from All-Things-Rezko.
In this sense, rather than Rod Blagojevich be “rewarded” for shielding the Obama Administraton from All-Things-Rezko-toxicity, U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald appears to be further positioning himself and running interference for the Obama Administration to perhaps procure a “bennie” by shielding Obama Administration from same Rezko-political-toxicity logic (or blackmail). Again, please keep in mind that same interference has been taking place since 2006 when U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald demanded that the Chicago Tribune not publish a report that identified the identity of Federal Informant John Thomas or related Federal Investigation.
And folks…the All-Things-Rezko-political-toxicity is clearly a high-stakes political game of leverage and political toxicity that both Blagojevich and U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald are playing – make no mistake about it!
Further, what is the basis for the delay in Rezko’s sentencing? What is the scope of Rezko’s involvement and/or cooperation with U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald and Federal Authorities?
The fact that Rezko and the following cooperating Federal Government witnesses have not yet been sentenced:
inherently creates highly-germane issues and environs that create ‘major conflicts and concerns’ in both the U.S. Attorney’s ability to dispense equitable justice, and in issues related to The White House’s ability to establish continuity related to policy development and implementation. Simply put, until All-Things-Rezko are concluded at 219 South Dearborn – an Obama Administration is, in theory, “politically-bricked” and “boxed-in” by U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald as its already been reported upon that Fitzgerald’s Federal Informant – John Thomas – has logged-in visits by Blagojevich and Obama to Rezko’s offices (http://bigjournalism.com/acary/2010/05/19/tony-rezko-barack-obama-the-fbi-mole-and-the-chicago-msm/).
To further demonstrate the highly-charged political nature of the above circumstances, ask yourself this — in the event U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald is, in fact, positioning himself for a “major bennie” (i.e., FBI Director) or “another consideration” visa vi his handling (or running political interference) in the Blagojevich Retrial – what happens if a previously-agreed upon understanding between Obama Administration and Fitzgerald becomes moot based upon an outcome that fully-exonerates Blagojevich (or another Hung Jury)?
Keep in mind that anything short of a conviction, substantial dilutes U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald’s credibility, and standing as well as leverage.
In the event of a Blagojevich hung jury or exoneration, how does U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald ‘play-his-cards’ as, to date, Fitzgerald maintains a ‘very-strong-hand’ visa vi the sentencing hangovers (and possibilities/implicit threats of future indictments) that Fitzgerald is inherently holding-over the heads of the following parties:
* Daley Family (Richard M. Daley, Patrick Daley, Robert Vanecko, R.J. Vanecko, et al).
* Other Obama supporters and, possibly, Obama himself (Allison Davis, Dr. Eric Whitaker, Marty Nesbitt, et al).
* Rezko investigation collateral damage (Blagojevich, Joe Cari, John Harris, et al).
To this end, the most powerful man in America appears to be U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald – an unaccountable and unelected Federal Bureaucrat since becoming an Assistant United States Attorney in New York City in 1988.”
“The United States Constitution is about WE THE PEOPLE….not the selfish, political agendas of Milorad Blagojevich or U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald.
This retrial is, indeed, an eye-opener for our country as we’re witnessing major violations in our Public Trust and our uber-sacred United States Constitution from both the Defendant as well as the U.S. Attorney.”
Obama justice?, Blagojevich trial streamlined?, Blagojevich trial and charges rigged to protect Obama
“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells
“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich
“Why did Obama attend a party in April 3, 2004 with Stuart Levine and Nadhmi Auchi, a controversial Iraqi-born billionaire who Rezko was trying to get to invest in a South Loop real-estate development?”…Citizen Wells
The US Justice Department with the aid of the complicit media, continue to portray their chicanery in protecting Obama with Orwellian phrases like “streamlining” the Blagojevich Trial.
From the Chicago Tribune May 3, 2011.
“Testimony streamlined in Blagojevich trial
2:35 a.m. CDT, May 3, 2011
The Ultra Slim Fast version of the prosecution case against Rod Blagojevich is continuing as his former chief of staff, John Harris, has taken the stand in the first day of testimony in the former governor’s corruption retrial. Last summer, Harris didn’t appear until the fourth week of proceedings.
And the testimony of Harris has been clearly streamlined as government lawyers reshuffle their deck to draw a sharp focus on Blagojevich’s alleged attempts to sell a U.S. Senate seat.”
Despite the US Justice Department dropping counts 1,2 and 4 against Blagojevich and changing the wording in the indictments, which contain information damning for Obama, corruption figures such as Stuart Levine and Tony Rezko, closely tied to Obama, cannot be ignored.
The Chicago Tribune presents a Stuart Levine wiretap from April 26, 2004. Although Obama is not mentioned, look below at the timeline of activity.
Even though only approx. 2 percent of the wiretaps were released during the first Blagojevich Trial, we hear Blagojevich indicting Obama.
As the second Blagojevich “trial” progresses, keep referring to the following information and timeline.
Evidentiary Proffer supporting charge of Collusion in protecting Obama during the course of investigating and prosecuting Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich.
Jan. – Aug. 2003: Obama was Chairman of the IL Senate Health and Human Service Committee. Feb. 20, 2003: Senate Bill 1332 “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act” filed. Reduced members of IL Health Planning and Facilities Board from 15 to 9.
(Rezko Trial March 13, 2008; 3:09 p.m.)
“Almanaseer was appointed to the planning board in 2003 on Rezko’s recommendation. Prosecutors contend he became part of a five-member voting bloc on the board that followed Rezko’s wishes. Almanaseer said board Chairman Thomas Beck tried to steer his voting.
“He said, ‘If you just don’t know which way to vote, vote the way Mr. Levine votes because that’s the way Tony would want the vote to go,” Almanaseer recalled, referring to Stuart Levine.”
Spring 2003 – Nov 2003: (Rezko trial March 11, 2008; 10:58 a.m.)
“Jennifer Thomas, a former aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s patronage chief Joe Cini, continued on the stand Tuesday morning and gave a few more insights into those regular Monday morning meetings she and Cini held in 2003 with Antoin “Tony” Rezko at his office.”
“Thomas said Rezko floated the names of several people to sit on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which the government claims Rezko corrupted with the help of board member Stuart Levine. And Thomas said Rezko at one point made it clear that he wanted to see Levine reappointed to the panel, which was being overhauled by the governor in 2003.” May 21, 2003: Senate Bill 1332 passed by House and Senate. June 27, 2003: Blagojevich made this the effective date of Senate Bill 1332. June 2003: (Rezko trial March 10, 2008; 4:16 p.m.)
“Ziegelmueller asked Hayden about a 2003 e-mail exchange with Lichtenstein, then the governor’s top lawyer, in which Wilhelm made recommendations for the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.
The name of Barack Obama, the Democratic front-runner for the presidential nomination, also appears in the e-mail as a member of a strategic team reviewing hospital board matters with the governor’s staff when he was a state senator. The hospital board was scheduled to be revamped in the summer of 2003.
Obama was then chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.” June 30, 2003: Obama gets the following donations.
$5000 Ali Ata was appointed as Director at IFA
$6000 Alison Davis gets appointment on Investment Board
$15,000 Dr. Michael Malek gets appointment on Hospital Facility Board
$5000 Abdelhamid Chaib’s wife gets appointment on Employee Security Board
$10,000 Elie Maloof – Rezko used him as one of several strawmen to donate funds to certain politicians.
$1000 Phil Cacciatore (one of Auchi’s Riverside Park Investors) gets seat on Board
$1000 Velma Butler (one of Auchi’s Riverside Park Investors) was recommended for Board
$1000 Martello Pollack (Vegas Crystal Comm) received Iraqi Construction contracts
$1000 Jack Carriglio gets appointed to Board
$500 Anthony Abboud gets appointed to Board
$3000 Michael Winter, who helped Rezko in funneling kickbacks through investment firm
$1000 Talat Othman gets appointed to Board
$1000 David Gustman, $1000 from Gustman’s wife after he is appointed Board Chairman Late 2003: Earliest documented awareness by FBI and Patrick Fitzgerald of corruption in Blagojevich admin. Pamela Meyer Davis agreed to secretly record conversations involving state health planning board with an FBI wire. Oct. 29, 2003: Blagojevich interest in presidency (Blagojevich criminal complaint pg 14).
“During the conversation, Cari and ROD BLAGOJEVICH discussed Cari’s fundraising background and work as a national fundraiser. ROD BLAGOJEVICH discussed his interest in running for President of the United States.” Dec 17, 2003: Former Governor George Ryan indicted.
“Mr. Fitzgerald announced that he was prosecuting former Gov. George Ryan, a Republican, in a scandal that had been swirling around long before Mr. Fitzgerald got here and that many people thought would never touch the most powerful politicians in Illinois. But there Mr. Fitzgerald was, a week before Christmas, ticking off the details of a 91-page indictment against Mr. Ryan, seemingly from memory.
That, even Mr. Fitzgerald’s former opponents in the courtroom say, is classic Fitzgerald: dogged, dispassionate and endlessly prepared.” 2004 – 2005: (February 10, 2008 Sun-Times)
“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,“
During his March 14, 2008 interview, the Times told Obama, Thomas is an FBI mole and he “recently told us that he saw you coming and going from Rezko’s office a lot.”
“And three other sources told us that you and Rezko spoke on the phone daily.”” March – May 2004: (Rezko trial exhibits)
FBI chart presented to the jury on April 28, 2008, shows 257 calls from Rezko’s phones to Blagojevich’s chief of staff, Lon Monk, between March 2004 and May 2004 alone.
“Stuart Levine, the prosecution’s star witness, said he and Obama were at a party Rezko threw at his Wilmette mansion on April 3, 2004, for Nadhmi Auchi, a controversial Iraqi-born billionaire who Rezko was trying to get to invest in a South Loop real-estate development.
Auchi, now a citizen of the United Kingdom, has faced criminal charges in Europe. He also figured in the revocation of Rezko’s bond early this year after attempting to wire him more than $3 million. Upon learning of that attempt, U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve declared Rezko a flight risk and ordered him held in a federal jail in the Loop.
The Rezko party in 2004 was designed to induce Auchi to pour money into the South Loop investment. Obama’s presence at the party was not previously known. At the time, Obama was fresh off a surprise win in the Illinois Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and was riding a crest of national publicity.” April 8 – May 21, 2004: (Rezko Trial March 12, 2008; 11:11 a.m.)
“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.” April 21, 2004: (Rezko Trial March 11, 2008; 5:27 p.m.)
“The former lawyer for a state board that regulates hospital expansions took the stand late in the afternoon and said she told Stuart Levine of her concern after an odd vote on the Mercy Hospital project that included Levine whispering to other board members before the project was approved.
His response was no less troubling, she said.
“He shrugged his shoulders and said, ‘Sometimes you have to be a good soldier,’” said Anne Murphy, the former lawyer for the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.
Murphy said Levine’s remark followed a vote that saw the plan for a new hospital in Crystal Lake squeak by with the minimum of five votes in favor on the nine-member board.
With eight members present at the April 2004 meeting, Murphy said the vote was stalled with three members voting “yes,” two voting “no” and two abstentions when Chairman Thomas Beck was called to give his vote.
Beck said, “Where’re we at?” Murphy testified. He then went over to whisper with Levine off the record, she said. When that conversation ended, Murphy said, Levine got up and whispered to Imad Almanaseer.
Beck then voted yes, Murphy testified, and Almanaseer changed his vote to “yes,” giving the plan the necessary votes to pass.
“There was an audible, collective gasp across the room,” Murphy recalled of the April 2004 meeting.
Prosecutors contend the five members who voted for the hospital were a Levine-led bloc that Rezko had placed on the board and controlled. The two were charged with arranging to accept a kickback from the builder who was going to build the Mercy project in Crystal Lake.
The entire board was new as of the summer of 2003, Murphy said. She said she had given the new members memos on ethics, including conflicts of interest.”
“Another government wiretap has been played with Antoin “Tony” Rezko’s voice on it, and this one could prove damaging to his defense. On the tape, recorded May 18, 2004, Rezko can be heard giving orders to political fixer Stuart Levine about how he wanted to manipulate the vote of one of Levine’s fellow members on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning board, Danalynn Rice.
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. July 27, 2004: Obama Democratic Convention Speech. May 9, 2005: Stuart Levine indicted on corruption charges. Federal subpoena issued to Tony Rezko. 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. 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. 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. Feb. 4, 2006: (Chicago Sun-Times)
“Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has always been rumored to be interested in higher office. A single entry in a campaign-finance report he filed this week could add fuel to the speculation.
Blagojevich paid $7,500 in December to one of the top Democratic political strategists in Iowa, where contacts are important for anyone with presidential aspirations.” Feb. 19, 2006: Blagojevich began his 2006 re-election to IL Governor. Aug. 5, 2006: The Chicago Tribune reports that Stuart Levine is cooperating with the federal investigation of state government. Aug. 11-20 2006: Illinois State Fair. “We’ve got a governor in Rod Blagojevich who has delivered consistently on behalf of the people of Illinois,” Obama told the crowd. 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.
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. Nov. 7, 2006 (Chicago SunTimes)
“The Rezko story broke last week, when Obama was wrapping up a national tour serving several purposes: promote his new book, The Audacity of Hope, raise money and stump for Democrats, and lay the groundwork for a possible 2008 White House bid.” Jan. 16, 2007: Obama announces his intention to run for president.
“I’ve navigated some fairly difficult territory in my political career and, you know, there are some folks in Springfield who are pretty wily.
And I’ve always been able to operate effectively, but also do so in a way that’s consistent with my values and ethics. I make no claims of perfection, but I think that generally my judgment and my assessments of people have been pretty good and that’s part of how I’ve stayed out of trouble in what can be a pretty hurly burly political environment. ….. I think that the way [voters should view the Rezko relationship] is that I made a mistake in not seeing the potential conflicts of interest or appearances of impropriety. But 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.” Feb 10, 2008: (Chicago Sun-Times)
“Sources said 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.” March 6, 2008: Rezko trial begins. April 22, 2008: Ali Ata pleads guilty to obstruction of justice and agrees to cooperate. May 2, 2008: Illinois Senate narrowly defeated a measure aimed at giving voters a chance to recall Gov. Rod Blagojevich. June 4, 2008: Rezko convicted on 16 of 24 counts.
Count 1 contains ties to Blagojevich and Obama.
The following conviction counts are related to Mercy Hospital and the rigging of the Planning Board.
1, 11, 12, 14, 15
A large portion of the testimony in the Rezko Trial was about the rigging of the Planning Board. Aug. 20, 2008: Rezko sentencing delayed. Oct. 9, 2008: Rezko sentencing delayed. Oct. 30, 2008: William Cellini indicted Nov. 4, 2008: Washington Times report.
“A former Illinois real estate specialist says FBI agents have questioned him about a Chicago property that had been bought by convicted felon Tony Rezko’s wife and later sold to the couple’s next-door neighbor, Sen. Barack Obama.
The real estate specialist, Kenneth J. Conner, said bank officials replaced an appraisal review he prepared on the property and FBI agents were investigating in late 2007 whether the Rezko-Obama deal was proper.
“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,” Mr. Conner told The Washington Times Monday.
“Rezko paid the asking price on the same day Obama paid $300,000 less than the asking price to the same seller for his adjacent mansion,” he said. “This begs the question of payoff, bribe, kickback.””
Dec. 7, 2008: Criminal complaint of Blagojevich. Nine individuals is important. Obama helped passed a bill to reduce the number from 15 to 9.
“b. Corruption of the Planning Board”
“At the relevant time period, the Planning Board consisted of nine individuals.”
“Planning Board” (IL Health Facilities Planning Board) is mentioned 31 times.
“Rezko” is mentioned 170 times.
“Hospital” in context of Mercy Hospital mentioned 8 times. Dec. 9, 2008: Blagojevich 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. Feb 12, 2009: “US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who brought criminal fraud charges against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, will stay on with the Obama administration, reports Pete Williams at NBC.” APRIL 2, 2009: Press release, Superceding Indictment. There is no mention of nine board members.
“Planning Board” (IL Health Facilities Planning Board) is mentioned 7 times
“Rezko” is mentioned 100 times.
http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2009/pr0402_01a.pdf July 30, 2009: Patrick Fitzgerald, the top prosecutor in Illinois’ Northern District, has been named interim chairman of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC). Feb. 4, 2010: Second superceding indictment. There is no mention of nine board members.
“Planning Board” (IL Health Facilities Planning Board) is mentioned 7 times
“Rezko” is mentioned 87 times.
“Hospital” in context of Mercy Hospital mentioned 1 time.
“During the relevant time period, the Planning Board consisted of nine individuals.”
“Rezko was able to obtain significant influence over the affairs of the Planning Board by arranging for Blagojevich to appoint five of Rezko’s associates and/or friends, including Levine, as members of the Planning Board in 2003.”
“Rezko” is mentioned 288 times.
“Hospital” in context of Mercy Hospital mentioned 18 times. April 22, 2010: Motion filed to subpoena Obama and redacted parts revealed.
“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
Redacted:
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.”
June 29, 2010: Judge Zagel said there was a word to describe witnesses like Rezko who damage whatever side calls them to testify.
“generally explains why they’re not called.”
Aug. 17, 2010: Blagojevich convicted of 1 of 24 counts. Neither Rezko or Levine were called as witnesses. One juror held out from indicting on more counts. The trial was much shorter than predicted . Approx 2% of the wiretaps were presented. Jan. 6, 2011: Rezko sentencing delayed indefinitely. Jan. 28, 2011: Rezko sentencing set for October 21, 2011. Feb. 24, 2011: Counts 1,2,4 in the Blagojevich Indictment are dropped. This represents approx. half of the indictment and includes numerous corruption ties to Blagojevich and Obama.
The only reference left to “Hospital” in context of Mercy Hospital was in count one. March 9, 2011: Blagojevich files motion to be sentenced on one conviction charge.
Blagojevich Second Trial, Spy Wednesday, April 20, 2011, Holy Week Catholic faith
“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells
“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department prosecute Tony Rezko first and wait until after the 2008 election to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells
“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich
From HuffPost Chicago March 28, 2011.
“Why is the second trial of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich commencing on “Spy Wednesday”? This is not tongue-in-cheek. It’s true. “Spy Wednesday” this year falls on April 20th, the start date for the federal government’s second chance to throw the book at Blagojevich.
How did this happen? Was this date an accidental pick? Or on purpose? Who chose the date? Who knows? Maybe it was just the luck of the draw.
During Holy Week in the Catholic faith, “Spy Wednesday” is traditionally the day before Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, the day of commemoration of the Last Supper and when Jesus washed the Apostles’ feet.
In contrast with the Last Supper, “Spy Wednesday” is not exactly a holy day. It is a day that is notorious. It’s the day when Apostle Judas Iscariot offered to turn Jesus over to the Chief Priests of the Sanhedrin in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. It is a day of betrayal, of loyalty lost, of selling out.
But then again, maybe it is the perfect day to start this do-over. For those who view Blagojevich as an elected official who betrayed the public’s trust. A sellout. Versus those who see him as just another Chicago pol engaged in mere horse trading, spied upon by an overzealous federal prosecutor through the surreptitious taping of his phone conversations, the entirety of which have yet to be made public. You’ll recall Blago’s defense has been that the snippets released so far have been taken out of context, and if Judge James Zagel were to allow the entire conversations to be released, the tapes would exonerate him, not convict him.
Whatever happens, the public won’t get to see it. Again. Except for a lucky three dozen or so each day if the courtroom is the same small, crowded one used this summer. Over half the seats go to reporters. What’s left, the public gets to scramble for.
Yet with 40-some reporters there, don’t think you can see this trial at home or at the office on your laptop, television, cable or satellite. With the plethora of channels out there and the ever expanding means of communication, you would think someone could see this somewhere. Yet video isn’t allowed. No, sir. Not in federal courtrooms, thank you. Not even in the overflow courtroom which gets an audio feed but no faces to scrutinize, no expressions to read.”
“A real trial with real witnesses like Tony Rezko or Stuart Levine with real questions would be refreshing. Too bad they dropped counts 1, 2 & 4 which tie Obama to the corruption.”
JoAnn Chiakulas Blagojevich juror speaks out, Prosecution case weak
Although I do not totally agree with Blagojevich juror JoAnn Chiakulas, she does make a point about the case that the prosecution didn’t make against ex governor Rod Blagojevich. JoAnn Chiakulas has finally spoken out about her decisions. From the Chicago Tribune August 27, 2010.
“Battling stomach pains and fatigue, JoAnn Chiakulas would take the train into the city each morning knowing that her resolve was disappointing some people and infuriating others.
But the 67-year-old grandmother said she also knew that as a juror in Rod Blagojevich’s corruption trial, she had a responsibility to follow her conscience and the law. She said she did not believe he or his brother committed a crime with their actions to fill Barack Obama’s Senate seat, so she would not find them guilty despite what other jurors, prosecutors and, perhaps, the general public wanted.
If it was going to be 11-1, so be it.
“I could never live with myself if I went along with the rest of the jury,” Chiakulas told the Tribune in her first media interview since the trial ended. “I didn’t believe it was the correct vote for me.”
The jury deliberated on the sweeping corruption charges for 14 days and, in the end, convicted Rod Blagojevich of one count of lying to the FBI. The panel was split on the 23 other counts, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial and the government to promise a retrial.”
“Chiakulas and two other jurors broke their silence in an interview Wednesday night and offered their account of the deliberations and the trial’s aftermath. Also attending was longtime Chicago Tribune contributor Ruth Fuller, a family friend who helped arrange the meeting.
Chiakulas said she found Blagojevich’s recorded statements on the Senate vacancy to be so scattered and disorganized that his actions did not reach the level of a criminal conspiracy.
One day he chattered about being the Indian ambassador, for example, then in the next conversation he discussed another plan. In the space of a few weeks, he talked about appointing, among others, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Oprah Winfrey or himself.
She said she never saw him formulate a clear plan to sell the seat. But in voting him not guilty, she stressed she did not find him innocent.
“I thought he was narcissistic,” she said. “I thought he was all over the place. I thought he was just rambling.”
It also concerned Chiakulas that some key witnesses who testified against Blagojevich had cut deals with prosecutors before testifying, she said.
“Some people in (the jury room) only saw black and white,” Chiakulas said. “I think I saw, in the transcripts and in the testimony, shades of gray. To me, that means reasonable doubt.””
“Still, the holdout label upsets Chiakulas and some other jurors because, they say, it wrongly suggests she was a Blagojevich apologist. To the contrary, she readily acknowledged the governor’s faults during deliberations and made it clear that she didn’t condone his behavior or leadership, Moore said.
“She admitted he talks too much, he sounds like an idiot sometimes,” Moore said. “She said, ‘But we’re not here to determine whether he talks like an idiot sometimes. That’s not what he’s on trial for.'””
“While Chiakulas shunned the media spotlight in the days after the verdict, the loquacious Blagojevich appeared on national television to thank her for her resolve and proclaim that she has reaffirmed his faith in God.
When asked about his comments, Chiakulas frowned and slightly shook her head.
Blagojevich retrial, Rezko and Levine must be witnesses, Leonard Cavise, DePaul University law professor, Evidentiary Proffer
It was clear to experts and novices alike that Tony Rezko and/or Stuart Levine had to be called as witnesses in the Rod Blagojevich trial. Tony Rezko’s name was mentioned approx. 288 times in the Evidentiary Proffer. When Judge James Zagel stated that Rezko was a bad witness, our collective jaws dropped. Stuart Levine, the key witness in the Rezko trial was not only enmeshed in corruption, he was a long time drug user.
From Citizen Wells July 29, 2010
“If I were a Blago juror …”
“If I were a juror, I’d wonder why we never heard from so many of the allegedly bad guys — Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine — mentioned by the prosecution.”
“As noted in part 5 of this series, Tony Rezko’s name was mentioned approximately 288 times in the Evidentiary Proffer. The above numbers reveal that of the evidence presented in the Proffer, 38 pages are loaded with names and corruption activities tied to Blagojevich from 2002 to mid 2008. And yet neither Tony Rezko or Stuart Levine were called as witnesses. And just as predicted and warned about here, the focus of the trial was the selling of Obama’s senate seat.”
An expert on law has commented on Rezko and Levine being called as witnesses. Leonard Cavise is a DePaul University law professor. From the DePaul website.
“Biography
Professor Cavise has a long background in litigation , both criminal and civil, including substantial pro bono litigation. In addition, he has worked in international human rights for many years, including lectures and training sessions in El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Venzuela, Italy, France and other locations throughout the world. Several projects were designed to train Latin American human rights lawyers in the art of trial advocacy. In 1999, he founded the Chiapas Human Rights Practicum and has taken law students to work in human rights offices in Chiapas every year since then. He was the Director of DePaul’s Lawyering Skills Program from 1983 until 1990.”
“A day later, all that was clear was that Blagojevich would have another day in court. What was less certain was what changes could be made to the prosecution case next time around, who would represent the governor at his retrial and how that defense would be paid for.
Experts differed on what the government might do as it makes another attempt at proving Blagojevich tried to leverage the powers of his office — including the appointment of a U.S. senator to fill the seat once held by President Barack Obama — to enrich himself and his campaign fund.
Some predicted that prosecutors would just slightly adjust their case or possibly leave it the same, while others suggested the next go-round could be much more drawn out.
Former federal prosecutor Dean Polales said he thinks the pr
osecution’s case will only be tweaked, especially since jurors reported an 11-1 split in favor of conviction on many of the major counts in the indictment.
“You’ve got an outlier juror,” Polales said. “That’s hard (for the defense) to duplicate in a future trial.”
But Leonard Cavise, a DePaul University professor, suggested the government will need to do more at the retrial, possibly leading to a longer presentation of evidence. He said he believes the government may try to avoid another deadlocked jury by using fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko and political fixer Stuart Levine as witnesses.
Both men have agreed to cooperate, but prosecutors chose not to call them this summer in part because of the baggage both bring.
“If the prosecution insists on going forward, I have two words for them: Rezko and Levine,” Cavise said. “They know where all the bodies are buried.””
Citizen WElls 