Category Archives: Kickbacks

Blagojevich trial, Update, April 20, 2010, Christopher Kelly suicide, Prosecution seeks to limit defense arguments, Robert Blagojevich

Blagojevich trial, Update, April 20, 2010

From the Chicago Tribune, April 19, 2010
“Feds say Blagojevich lawyers should not tell jury about chief fundraiser’s suicide”

“Prosecutors in Chicago are urging a federal judge to bar former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s lawyers from telling the jury at his corruption trial about his chief fundraiser’s suicide.

In court papers Monday, prosecutors say Blagojevich and his attorneys have made remarks suggesting they might bring up fundraiser Christopher Kelly’s suicide at the trial.

The south suburban contractor headed Blagojevich’s campaign committee and was found dead of an apparent overdose last September. He had been a defendant in three different corruption cases and was set to enter prison within days.”

Read more:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sns-ap-il–blagojevich-corruptioncase,0,2396658.story
“Prosecution seeks to limit defense arguments in upcoming Blagojevich trial”

“But the government maintains it is simply trying to keep issues irrelevant to the criminal charges from jurors.

On that same note, prosecutors said the defense shouldn’t be allowed to raise Blagojevich’s impeachment or any positive actions he took as governor.

Blagojevich has long called for all the undercover tapes to be played, not just the ones preferred by prosecutors, saying he is confident he would be vindicated if the entire record was heard.

But prosecutors said it would improper for Blagojevich’s attorney to make reference to this, since it involves legal rulings by the judge that should be off-limits for the jury.

“Comments by counsel or witnesses along the lines, ‘If it was up to us, we would play all the tapes,’ are improper,” the government said in its filing.

Zagel already has said in court that Blagojevich could be able to play some of the tapes he wants if they corroborate his testimony. The former governor has promised to testify at the trial slated to begin June 3.

Also Monday, prosecutors objected to a request by Blagojevich’s brother, Robert, for a separate trial. The brother ran Rod Blagojevich’s campaign fund for part of 2008 and allegedly participated in only a small percentage of the charged misconduct, according to his lawyer, Michael Ettinger.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-blagojevich-bar-testimony-20100419,0,2596293.story

Blagojevich trial documents, Judge Zagel, April 14, 2010, Obama lies, Documents unsealed, Chicago Tribune SunTimes request, Blagojevich Obama Rezko Levine

Blagojevich trial documents, Judge Zagel, April 14, 2010

 

***  Update below  ***

Judge James Zagel is expected to make a decision to unseal Rod Blagojevich trial documents today, Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Will Obama or his administration be mentioned?
Here is one of numerous Obama lies.

I had no contact with the Governor or his office.
Listen carefully at 3:08 into the video.

How often will the names of Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine and Barack Obama  be mentioned during the Blagojevich trial?

*** Update 2:30 ET ***

“The judge overseeing the corruption case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich today ordered a key government document detailing the charges against the ex-governor released without sensitive portions blacked out.

The document, expected to be made public shortly, describes how Blagojevich allegedly schemed with a close group of associates to make money by leveraging the powers of his office.”

“The document has been expected to offer the most detail about the alleged schemes in the case since a guilty plea last fall by Alonzo Monk, the ex-governor’s onetime chief of staff.”

Read more:
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/04/judge-orders-full-release-of-key-document-in-blago-case.html

Obama Rezko Blagojevich and Fitzgerald, January 27, 2008, Obama lies, Obama corruption, CNN bias, Why did Patrick Fitzgerald wait to arrest Blagojevich?, Why has Obama not been arrested?

Obama Rezko Blagojevich and Fitzgerald, January 27, 2008

Lest we forget.
This article is from January 27, 2008. Most of the corruption charges against Blagojevich, Rezko, Levine, et al were in regard to crime and corruption committed when Obama was in the IL Senate.
From Working Life, January 27, 2008.
“Obama and Rezko: CNN Omits the Nub of the Story”

“CNN’s (January 24) coverage of Sen. Barack Obama’s money ties to Illinois political fixer Antoin “Tony” Rezko failed to show the deeper relevance of the story to Obama’s political careeo r. LPAC’s own ongoing probe of the matter can begin to supply the appropriate context.
CNN showed a clip from the debate in which Sen. Hillary Clinton said to Obama, “you were practicing law and representing your contributor, Rezko, in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago.”
Obama replied, “Oh, no, no, no. I’m happy to respond.” Obama said it was just legal work on a low-income housing project and Tony Rezko was just another client, and he declared, “I did about five hours worth of work on this joint project. That’s what she’s referring to.”
This has rattled many cages. The Clinton-hating website Drudgereport reacted by putting up an undated old photo of Bill and Hillary Clinton posing with Tony Rezko, without explanation, hoping this might undermine allegations regarding Obama.
In their January 24 coverage, CNN went on to show what has long been very public in the Chicago newspapers: that Rezko will soon be tried in two separate cases for extortion, money laundering and fraud; and that when Obama entered politics he got from Rezko his “first significant campaign contribution” and much more later: “tainted cash, some illegal, some just unsavory.” CNN showed buildings that Rezko had developed with public funds solicited for him by Obama, where the tenants were left heatless while Rezko’s donations continued to Obama. CNN mentioned the deal involving Rezko, in which Obama got his own expensive house, bought below the asking price; and how Obama has now donated, to charity, $86,000 of Rezko’s contributions to him.”

“But behind the story, the federal case against Rezko is based on a detailed picture of the web of influence Rezko and his cohorts exerted over state agencies managing Illinois’ financial assets. Barack Obama’s political career was spun out in tandem with this Rezko apparatus, particularly through Rezko’s partner and Obama’s former boss, Allison S. Davis.
Start with U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s December 21, 2007 proffer in the Rezko case, with its charges of extortion and kickbacks taken in 2004 from the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System: $10,000 from this crime was channeled to a “political candidate” not named by the prosecutor. The fact that Rezko was on the finance committee of Obama’s campaign for U.S. Senate, and the other facts in the case, make it clear that Barack Obama was the candidate in question.”

“Having raised half a million dollars for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Tony Rezko got the Governor to appoint Rezko’s own men to the Teachers’ Retirement System, among them Stuart Levine, now indicted. And Rezko got Allison S. Davis appointed to the Illinois State Board of Investment, in control of billions in state retirement funds. Although Davis has not been charged with wrongdoing, the feds are reportedly pressing a probe of that agency. Davis is currently the president of that State Board.

Barack Obama was a Harvard Law student in 1990 when he interviewed for a job with Tony Rezko’s slum-redevelopment firm. He didn’t go directly into the Rezko company. But in 1993 Obama was hired by Allison S. Davis, whose law firm (Davis Miner Barnhill & Galland) represented Rezko’s operations over the years, while Rezko raised cash for Obama’s electoral campaigns. Davis became Rezko’s personal financial partner in slum-redevelopment deals, which were then backed by State Senator Obama.

In one of those deals, after both Obama and Davis had left the law firm, Obama wrote letters to state and city housing officials supporting the proposed Cottage View Terrace apartments, a project run by Tony Rezko and Allison S. Davis. The deal cost taxpayers $14 million and the partners got $855,000 in fees. Completed in 2002, the project is now managed by Davis’s son Cullen Davis.”

Read more:

http://www.workinglife.org/blogs/view_post.php?content_id=7718

Why did Patrick Fitzgerald wait to arrest Blagojevich?

Why has Obama not been arrested?

This information has been available for over two years. Maybe people will pay attention now.

Rod Blagojevich arrest, Blagojevich indictment, Impeachment, Obama ties, Who orchestrated the delay

Rod Blagojevich arrest, Blagojevich indictment, Impeachment

Rod Blagojevich knew he was being watched. It is apparent to me and others that the alleged selling of the former Obama IL Senate seat was fabricated to take the focus off of the body of evidence of longtime time corruption in cahoots with Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine and yes, Obama.

Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Department of Justice wait until after the 2008 election to arrest Rod Blagojevich?

Who orchestrated this chicanery?

Why is Fox News not covering this?

Open thread, March 8, 2010.

Fox News Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck protect Obama, Saudi pressure?, Obama threats?, Obama money?, Obama eligibility, Obama corruption ties, Blagojevich indictment, Rezko, Levine, Weinstein, Obama arrest

Why has Obama employed a legion of private and government attorneys to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?…Citizen Wells and millions of concerned Americans

Why has the MSM and Fox News ignored the other counts of corruption against Rod Blagojevich, the same corruption tied to Obama, Rezko, Levine, Weinstein, et al? Why has the MSM and Fox only covered the alleged attempt to sell Obama’s old senate seat?

Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck continue to insult concerned Americans who question Obama’s eligibility. They refer to them as birthers and right wing nuts. However, even Lou Dobbs while still at CNN asked why Obama doesn’t present a legitimate birth certificate.

I have tried to make this simple enough even for the bloviating idiots O’Reilly and Beck. On February 14, 2010, the Citizen Wells blog presented this simple, uncomplicated information.

“Obama and Congress Request and Obtain an Extension of Time to File Opposition Brief to Kerchner v Obama & Congress Appeal.”

From the docket of the Kerchner v Obama lawsuit.

“02/12/2010
1 pg, 83.15 KB
ECF FILER: Letter from Dick Cheney, Congress of US, House Represenatives,
Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, US Senate and USA confirming extension of time
pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 31.4 with service on opposing counsel. Service
date 02/12/2010. (EF)”

Even Beck and O’Reilly can figure this one out. Obama is hiding his records and the taxpayers are paying for his defense.

Glenn Beck, I emailed and left voice messages with a cell phone number you can call if you have any questions or if anything here appears incorrect.

Glenn, I am still waiting for the phone call.

Obama attorneys fight to hide records

On February 15, 2010, the Citizen Wells blog provided an intro into what Blagojevich was indicted for versus what Bill o’Reilly interviewed him about.

“Let’s focus om the Rod Blagojevich indictment and upcoming trial. This, like the Tony Rezko trial, is more about rampant Chicago and Illinois corruption and Obama strong, long time ties to not only Blagojevich, but especially Tony Rezko who is at the center of so much of this corruption.

The Obama Administration and Obama camp are masters of deceit and diversions. It is now clear that the alleged attempt by Rod Blagojevich to sell Obama’s old US Senate seat was crafted as a masterful diversion to keep the attention away from the years of corruption that Blagojevich and Obama were involved in. Of course this benefits Blagojevich and Obama. It is an excellent diversion.”

Bill O’Reilly and Fox ignore most of Blagojevich indictment

Here is the truth about Blagojevich, Obama and their crime buddies.

From the Rod Blagojevich Indictment press release APRIL 2, 2009.

“CHICAGO – Since 2002, even before he was first elected governor that November, and continuing until he was arrested on Dec. 9, 2008, former Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and a circle of his closest aides and advisors allegedly engaged in a wide-ranging scheme to deprive the people of Illinois of honest government, according to a 19-count indictment returned today by a federal grand jury. Blagojevich, 52, of Chicago, was charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements to federal agents. He allegedly used his office in numerous matters involving state appointments, business, legislation and pension fund investments to seek or obtain such financial benefits as money, campaign contributions, and employment for himself and others, in exchange for official actions, including trying to leverage his authority to appoint a United States Senator, announced Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.”

“The charges are part of Operation Board Games, a continuing public corruption investigation of pay-to-play schemes, including insider-dealing, influence-peddling and kickbacks involving private interests and public duties. The investigation began in 2003 and has resulted in charges against a total of 17 defendants. Today’s charges were brought in a superseding indictment that replaces one brought Oct. 30, 2008, against Cellini alone for allegedly conspiring with others to obtain campaign funds for Blagojevich by shaking down an investment firm that was seeking a $220 million allocation from TRS.”
Citizen Wells: The following ties Blagojevich, Obama, Rezko, Levine, Weinstein and a host of other in a web of corruption.

“The principle fraud scheme count, which names Blagojevich, Monk, Harris and Robert Blagojevich as co-schemers, together with Kelly, Cellini, Rezko, Levine and others, alleges that they deprived the people of Illinois and the beneficiaries of TRS of the honest services of Blagojevich, Harris, Monk and Levine, who was a member of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board and the TRS board of trustees.”

From the Tony Rezko Indictment:

“The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board (“Planning Board”) was a commission of the State of Illinois, established by statute, whose members were appointed by the Governor of the State of Illinois. State law required an entity seeking to build a hospital, medical office building, or other medical facility in Illinois to obtain a permit, known as a “Certificate of Need” (“CON”), from the Planning Board prior to beginning construction.”

“REZKO used his relationship with certain State of Illinois officials, to ensure that REZKO and LEVINE had the ability to influence the actions of TRS and the Planning Board for the benefit of themselves and their nominees and associates.”
“4. It was further part of the scheme that REZKO sought to influence certain State of Illinois officials, in order to ensure that LEVINE, and persons allied with REZKO and LEVINE, retained and obtained memberships on the TRS Board and the Planning Board that enabled REZKO and LEVINE to influence the actions of those boards for the benefit of REZKO, LEVINE, and their nominees and associates. As part of this aspect of the scheme:”

From the indictment of

STUART LEVINE, JACOB KIFERBAUM, P. NICHOLAS HURTGEN

“The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board (“Planning Board”) was a commission of the State of Illinois,
established by statute, whose members were appointed by the Governor of the State of Illinois. State law required an entity seeking to build a hospital, medical office building, or other medical facility in Illinois to obtain a permit, known as a “Certificate of Need” (“CON”), from the Planning Board prior to beginning construction.”

“7. It was further part of the scheme that LEVINE solicited a kickback of approximately $1.5 million from KIFERBAUM relating to the construction of Mercy Hospital’s Crystal Lake facility. KIFERBAUM agreed to pay a kickback, with the exact amount and manner of the payments to be determined at a later date. At LEVINE’s direction, the kickback proceeds were to be paid to Individual 1 pursuant to a sham consulting contract. LEVINE agreed to and did use his influence with the Planning Board to ensure that Mercy Hospital would and did receive approval of its application to build the Crystal Lake facility after it contracted with Kiferbaum Construction Company to build that facility. In voting for, and influencing other Planning Board members to vote for, the application for Mercy Hospital’s Crystal Lake facility, LEVINE concealed from the Planning Board his personal financial interest in the construction of the Crystal Lake facility. In furtherance of this aspect of the scheme:”

From the DR. Robert Weinstein Indictment.

“Investigation Special Agent that Levine never told WEINSTEIN that Rezko had influence over the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, whereas at the time WEINSTEIN made this statement and representation, WEINSTEIN knew the statement and representation was false because, in truth and fact, WEINSTEIN and Levine discussed Rezko’s influence over the Planning Board, including in a recorded conversation on April 21, 2004 in which they discussed Rezko’s involvement in the Planning Board and Levine explicitly advised WEINSTEIN of Rezko’s role in manipulating the Planning Board’s vote earlier that day on the CON application of Mercy Health System Corporation Hospital, as well as other Planning Board matters;
In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2).”

From the indictment of

ROD BLAGOJEVICH, CHRISTOPHER KELLY, ALONZO MONK, WILLIAM F. CELLINI, SR., JOHN HARRIS, and ROBERT BLAGOJEVICH

“It was further part of the conspiracy that defendants ROD BLAGOJEVICH and KELLY, along with Monk, Cellini, Robert Blagojevich, Harris, Rezko, and Levine, and others, used and attempted to use the powers of the Office of the Governor and of certain state boards and commissions subject to the influence of the Office of the Governor, to take and cause governmental actions, including: appointments to boards and commissions; the awarding of state business, grants, and investment fund allocations; the enactment of legislation and executive orders; and the appointment of a United States Senator; in exchange for financial benefits for themselves and others, including campaign contributions for ROD BLAGOJEVICH, money for themselves, and employment for ROD BLAGOJEVICH and his wife.”

“Rezko arranged for a total of $50,000 in contributions to Friends of Blagojevich from Ali Ata, a Chicago-area businessman, and in exchange for those contributions discussed with Ata, ROD BLAGOJEVICH, and Monk obtaining a high-level state appointment for Ata, whom ROD BLAGOJEVICH ultimately appointed as the executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority;”

Pay attention to the following. It is but one of many examples of Obama’s connections to shady dealings in Chicago. However, it is strong one and well documented.

Barack Obama’s role in rigging the IL Health Facilities Planning Board

The number of members was reduced from 15 to 9 and therefore allowed Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine and Rod Blagojevich to control the board with only 5 members.

From Journalist Evelyn Pringle.

“Curtain Time Part II will show that Obama was the inside guy in the Illinois senate as far as setting up the Health Facilities Planning Board to extort contributions from companies in exchange for the approval of applications to build medial facilities.

Obama was chairman of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee in January 2003. A few articles in the media have mentioned that Obama sat on a committee that reviewed matters related to the Planning Board in conjunction with the Governor’s staff but none have discussed his integral part in getting the bill passed

A review of senate records from January 2003 to August 2003, shows Obama played a major role as chairman of that committee, in pushing through Senate Bill 1332, that led to the “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, making the votes much easier to rig.

Democratic Senator Susan Garrett sponsored the bill in the senate, and the chief co-sponsor was Republican Senator Dale Righter. These two senators were also on the Human Services Committee with Obama.

The bill was filed with the senate secretary on February 20, 2003, and assigned to Human Services Committee for review on February 27. Less than a month later, as chairman, Obama sent word that the bill should be passed on March 13, 2003.

On May 31, 2003, the House and Senate passed the bill and the only senator listed in the “yes” votes mentioned in the Board Games indictments is Obama.

Blagojevich made the effective date June 27, 2003, and the co-schemers already had the people lined up to stack the Board and rig the votes with full approval from Obama.

As discussed fully in Curtain Time for Obama Part 1, the Republicans and Democrats worked together in setting up the Planning Board scheme because the Combine as a whole would profit.

During the trial, Stuart Levine testified that when he sought reappointment to the Planning Board, he told Republican co-schemer, Bill Cellini, to tell the Blagojevich administration he would vote however they wanted when approving projects.

He told the jury he had the same understanding with the two prior Republican governors, Jim Edgar, and George Ryan, who is now sitting in prison due to Fitzgerald’s successful prosecution of a corruption case against him.

A June 2003 email exchange produced in the trial shows Obama was one of eight officials who received the names of the nominees for the new Board ahead of time, from the office of David Wilhelm, who headed Blagojevich’s 2002 campaign for governor.

Tony Rezko’s name does not appear in the email. In fact, his attorney made the point to the jury that the exchange was from Blagojevich’s general counsel, Susan Lichtenstein, and Wilhelm’s office, and indicated the appointees were recommended by Wilhelm and supported by those who received the memo.

The memo said, “we worked closely over the past six months” with eight officials including three state senators.

Jennifer Thomas, a former aide in Blagojevich’s patronage office, testified that she attended regular weekly meetings at Rezko’s office between the spring of 2003 and November 2004, and Rezko floated names and specifically said Levine should be reappointed to the new Board.

The Senate bill said, the “Board shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate.” But the Senate Confirmation Hearings were a joke. For instance, the Feds recorded Levine talking to co-schemer, Jon Bauman, the day Levine learned he was approved by the Senate from the executive secretary of the Board.

Levine told Bauman he ran into Jeffrey Marks, who said “congratulations on your appointment,” and Levine asked for what. Marks said, “well the Senate Confirmation Hearings on Health Facility Plan Board members.”

He told Levine Senate President, Emil Jones, only allowed 2 members to be approved and “that was you and the other person he just put in.”

“Isn’t that hysterical ’cause you know they had this big battle going on,” Levine told Bauman.

Laughing away, Levine said, “don’t you just love it.”

“I’m one of those independents and not part of the block.”

“Well, good, you know it’s good to be just a true independent civil servant,” Bauman said laughing along with Levine.

“Is, is that a good thing,” Levine replied, “I’ve never been that.”

Corrupt appointees fund Obama and Blagojevich campaigns

The corrupt new appointees were all contributors to the presidential hopeful, Blagojevich, and the US senate hopeful Obama.

The previous Act allowed the Board itself to select a “Chairman and other officers as deemed necessary.” But the new law stated: “The Governor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and shall name as full-time Executive Secretary.”

The Board’s then sitting-chairman, Thomas Beck, who was originally appointed by a Republican governor, testified under a grant of immunity that he brought a $1,000 check to Rezko on July 15, 2003, to make sure Blagojevich reappointed him.

A few weeks later, Beck said, Rezko called to say he would be reappointed along with a Republican holdover Levine. Beck also testified that Rezko told him Blagojevich was set to appoint Rezko’s three doctor friends to complete the rigged voting bloc. He said he met the doctors in August 2003, at the first meeting of the new Board.

Dr Michel Malek gave Obama $10,000 a little over a month before the first meeting on June 30, 2003. He also donated $25,000 to Blagojevich three weeks later on July 25, 2003, and gave Obama another $500 in September 2003. Malek was an investor in Riverside Park.

Dr Fortunee Massuda donated $25,000 to Blagojevich on July 25, 2003, and gave a total of $2,000 to Obama on different dates. Massuda’s husband, Charles Hannon, is a co-schemer in the pension fund case and testified against Rezko in the trial.

Dr Imad Almanaseer contributed a total of $3,000 to Obama after he landed the appointment. On March 13, 2008, Almanaseer testified against Rezko and told the jury he was an investor in Rezko’s fast-food businesses.

This doctor’s son, Ahmed Almanaseer, was given a trade office intern position with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Ahmed is president of HireIraqis.com a bilingual human resources “site aimed at linking Iraqi job seekers with the companies engaged in the reconstruction [in Iraq] efforts,” according to Rezko Watch/RBO. ”

Read more:

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

From the Chicago Tribune Tony Rezko Trial transcripts.

March 6, 2008; 12:29 a.m.

“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 10, 2008; 4:16 p.m.

“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. Other legislative leaders, including Madigan, were part of that review panel as well, according to the e-mail.”
March 13, 2008; 3:09 p.m.

“Dr. Imad Almanaseer is on the witness stand this afternoon, testifying about his links to Antoin “Tony” Rezko and his time on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board”.
“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.”
March 19, 2008; 11:21 a.m.

“Prosecution witness Stuart Levine is walking jurors through the evolution of his relationship with defendant Tony Rezko. The two met at a dinner party shortly before the 2002 election in which Rezko’s close friend Rod Blagojevich was elected governor.”

“Levine said he met increasingly with Rezko in early 2003 after Blagojevich was sworn in as governor. On occasion, Levine said, Rezko described his close relationship with Blagojevich.

“He said that he had raised a great deal of money for Gov. Blagojevich and that he had great hopes and expectations that Gov. Blagojevich would run for president,” Levine recalled. “And although he knew it was a long shot, he was working toward that end.””

“”Mr. Rezko told me that he was able to have individuals appointed to state boards and was able to have individuals hired into state agencies and that he spoke very often — and in fact went over decisions — that Lon Monk would put into place,” Levine said.”
March 21, 2008; 12:10 p.m.

“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.

On the call, Rezko is heard mentioning Chris Kelly, who with Rezko was one of the top fundraisers for Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Both Rezko and Kelly were key members of Blagojevich’s kitchen cabinet.

Rezko makes it clear in the phone call that Kelly, too, had been involved in trying to manipulate decisions of the hospital board, which Rezko has been charged with corrupting. Kelly apparently had called Levine earlier and told him he should be Rice’s mentor on the board, directing her to follow his lead on voting. Rice had been recently installed on the hospital panel at the insistence of a leader of the Laborers’ International Union, which had contributed more than $133,000 to Blagojevich’s campaign.”

I promised you more details. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

One thing is obvious, Rod Blagojevich’s alleged attempt to sell Obama’s old senate seat is minimal in the scheme of things. Another thing is obvious, Rod Blagojevich and Barack Obama are guilty as sin of long time crime and corruption.

Sadly, another thing is obvious. Fox News is not doing their job. Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck et al are covering for Obama. Here are some possible reasons.

Saudi pressure and ownership of Fox.

Bought out by Obama.

Threatened by Obama.

Fear of riots or reprisals if the truth emerges.

Ironically, Sean Hannity, who I respect the most on Fox, states repeatedly that journalism died in 2008.

USDOJ documents:

http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/

February 18, 2010, Open thread, Blagojevich Trial, Obama ties to Blagojevich and Rezko, Fox and MSM cover for Obama

This is the open thread for February 18, 2010. Comment about anything that you desire. However, I intend to present more details about the Blagojevich indictment, upcoming trial and why the story needs to be told of Obama’s involvement in the same corruption that ended in the indictments and/or convictions of so many of his associates and contributors. Have you asked Bill O’Reilly or Glenn Beck why they are not covering this?

Chicago Tribune supports David Hoffman, Obama endorsed Alexi Giannoulias in 2006 Democratic primary, IL Democrat Senate primary, Giannoulias gave $10000 to Obama’s campaign, Obama Giannoulias Progressives

The Chicago Tribune supports David Hoffman, opponent of Alexi Giannoulias, who had close ties to Barack Obama and Chicago corruption figures. Hoffman and Giannoulias are competing in the Democrat primary for the former senate seat of Obama.
From the Chicago tribune, January 28, 2010.
“Once again: Hoffman”

“An honest mistake, yes, and a careless one. But it was handled with the forthright integrity we’ve come to expect from Hoffman. And for all the whining from the Giannoulias camp about negative attacks, it’s the only statement whose factual basis has been challenged successfully. Unless you count this: In a press release this week, Giannoulias accuses Hoffman of citing a “non-existent Daily Herald story” in an ad that references loans made by Giannoulias’ family bank to convicted influence-peddler Tony Rezko.

“David Hoffman should stop insulting voters, take down this smear job and put up an ad talking about jobs,” it says.

We’ll leave it to voters to decide if linking Giannoulias to Rezko is a “smear job,” but the Daily Herald story does exist, and the Giannoulias camp knows it. Hoffman’s ad got the date wrong. Careless again. But it has allowed Giannoulias to present himself again as the victim.

None of this changes our opinion. As we wrote in our endorsement: Hoffman, the former inspector general for the city of Chicago, “is an incorruptible man who tells truth to power…”

Hoffman is the Democrats’ best choice to bring the highest ethical standards to the U.S. Senate.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-hoffman0129-20100128,0,1398080.story
From the Chicago tribune, June 12, 2007.
“Obama endorses Alexi Giannoulias for state treasurer”
“But Obama’s record of local endorsements — one measure of how he has used his nascent political clout — has drawn criticism from those who say it reflects his deference to Chicago’s established political order and runs counter to his public calls for clean government.

In the 2006 Democratic primary, for example, Obama endorsed first-time candidate Alexi Giannoulias for state treasurer despite reports about loans Giannoulias’ family-owned Broadway Bank made to crime figures. Records show Giannoulias and his family had given more than $10,000 to Obama’s campaign, which banked at Broadway.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-obama_endorse_12jun12,0,484394.story
From Source Watch

“Barack Obama and campaign contributor Alexi Giannoulias”
“Alexi Giannoulias—a “man who has long been dogged by charges that the bank his family owns helped finance a Chicago crime figure” and “who became Illinois state treasurer” in 2006 after Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) “vouched for him”—”pledged to raise $100,000 for the senator’s Oval Office bid,” Charles Hurt reported September 5, 2007, in the New York Post.[1]

The September 5, 2007, Chicago fundraiser was omitted from Obama’s public schedule and the event was closed to the press,” Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times reported.[2]

“Before he promised to raise funds for Obama, Giannoulias bankrolled Michael ‘Jaws’ Giorango, a Chicagoan twice convicted of bookmaking and promoting prostitution.”
“Obama and Giannoulias reportedly met on the basketball court “in the late 1990s … at the East Bank Club, a luxurious spot in downtown Chicago,” Jodi Kantor wrote June 1, 2007, in the New York Times.[3] Now, “thanks in part to [Obama’s] backing, [Giannoulias] is now the Illinois state treasurer. Other regular gymmates include the president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and several investment bankers who were early and energetic fund-raisers,” Kantor wrote.”
“Obama the king maker”

“”Did U.S. Senator Barack Obama clear the field in the Democratic state treasurer’s race?” lawyer and political analyst Russ Stewart wrote January 4, 2006.”
“But none announced, and all deferred to Alexi Giannoulias, a 29-year-old Chicago investment banker who was an early supporter of Obama in his 2004 Senate race, whose father owns Broadway Bank, and whose family helped bankroll the Obama campaign. Giannoulias has said that he will campaign as a ‘progressive,’ and he has promised to put more than $1 million in family funds into the race,” Stewart wrote.”
“In March 2006, Giannoulias said that “his ‘good friend and mentor, Barack Obama,’ inspired him to run.”

In fact, Giannoulias’ “endorsers” were “essentially the base of the Obama coalition: white north side progressives and south side blacks.””

Read more:

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Barack_Obama_and_campaign_contributor_Alexi_Giannoulias
Obama endorses Giannoulias Ad

Post Obama Chicago?

Rod Blagojevich trial, Obama testify?, Blagojevich lawyer Sam Adam Jr, Obama has material information on case, US District Judge James Zagel

From the Chicago Tribune, December 17, 2009.

“State of corruption: Blagojevich lawyer hoping to get Obama to testify at trial”

“Lawyers for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday sought early access to an interview of President Barack Obama by federal investigators as the defense weighs whether to try to call Obama as a witness in Blagojevich’s trial next year.

Blagojevich’s lawyer, Sam Adam Jr., said he realizes it would be an uphill battle to get a sitting president to testify.

Obama was questioned by investigators after Blagojevich was arrested last December on charges he tried to sell the Senate seat vacated by Obama after being elected president.

The defense is also seeking reports of interviews of Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s chief of staff, as well as other staffers about any conversations they might have had with Blagojevich or his aides about the Senate seat.”

“U.S. District Judge James Zagel gave prosecutors until Jan. 8 to respond in writing to the defense request. The defense is also seeking all witness statements in the case earlier than the rules of evidence call for so it can be prepared for the June 3 trial.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-blago-obama-trialdec17,0,2299601.story

Alonzo Monk, Guilty plea background, Obama, Blagojevich, Rezko, Levine, Kelly, Harris, Cellini, Indictment, Rezko trial transcripts, Chicago IL corruption, Crime, Board rigging, Evelyn Pringle articles

Lest we forget about crime and corruption in Chicago

and the involvement by

Rod Blagojevich

Tony Rezko

Stuart Levine

Christopher Kelly

William Cellini

John Harris

Alonzo Monk

et al

and Obama’s ties to these corruption figures

 

Alonzo Monk Guilty Plea

Part II

 

In part I of this two part series on Alonzo Monk’s guilty plea, the Citizen Wells blog presented background on Monk’s involvement in corruption and how it impacted health care in Chicago and Illinois.

October 26, 2009
“It was further part of the conspiracy that defendants ROD BLAGOJEVICH and KELLY, along with Monk, Cellini, Robert Blagojevich, Harris, Rezko, and Levine, and others, used and attempted to use the powers of the Office of the Governor and of certain state boards and commissions subject to the influence of the Office of the Governor, to take and cause governmental actions, including: appointments to boards and commissions; the awarding of state business, grants, and investment fund allocations; the enactment of legislation and executive orders; and the appointment of a United States Senator; in exchange for financial benefits for themselves and others, including campaign contributions for ROD BLAGOJEVICH, money for themselves, and employment for ROD BLAGOJEVICH and his wife.”

The article reveals:

  • Just as Obama is politicizing now, Blagojevich touted health care for all in IL.
  • The IL Health Planning Facilities Board was rigged thanks to Obama.
  • Mercy Hospital construction was rigged for kickbacks.
  • Children’s Memorial Hospital was a corruption target.
  • Michelle Obama’s hospital pay nearly tripled after Barack was elected US Senator.

Alonzo Monk, et al corrupt IL Health Care

Now for more background on Alonzo Monk’s involvement in corruption.
From the Chicago Tribune, December 23, 2007.
“For years, Rod Blagojevich has projected two distinct images that define his tenure as Illinois’ governor.

In one, he is a populist champion with an agenda of “putting people first” by pushing causes like health care for all. In the other, he is a consummate politician with cronies who offer advice while raising campaign cash and asking for favors.

Now, under the lights of a federal investigation, the distinctions are blurring, and the crony image is threatening to wash out the populist one.

Federal prosecutors for the first time have put Blagojevich inside their widespread investigation of pay-to-play in his administration. Blagojevich told one convicted federal informant, “You stick with us and you will do very well for yourself,” according to a court document prosecutors filed.”
“Nix, however, disputed that Knapp’s influence is overriding. Instead, she said Blagojevich long has used a team approach to politicking and governing. In this vein, he is a public official heavily reliant on his aides. His team has a core nucleus of Nix, chief of staff John Harris, former chief of staff Alonzo Monk, longtime political aide John Wyma, state Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville), state Sen. James DeLeo (D-Chicago) and campaign spokesman Doug Scofield.

But Monk, Scofield and Wyma are lobbyists, and their clients have won millions in state contracts under Blagojevich’s stewardship. And Kelly, another close adviser and friend, was indicted this month on federal tax fraud charges.”
Citizen Wells Note – I found this next statement interesting
Remember, originially, Blagojevich was going to be the presidential candidate, not Obama.

“Instead of concentrating heavily on winning votes for his health care plan, Blagojevich crafted a strategy to initially sell his idea via a media blitz—a strategy that quickly fell on its face. Critics, and even some of his allies, said the fatal flaw in this plan was funding the expansion through a gross receipts tax on businesses. True to political form, Blagojevich found his enemy—corporations—and railed against them.”
Read more:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2007/12/gov-blagojevich.html

From the indictment of

ROD BLAGOJEVICH, CHRISTOPHER KELLY, ALONZO MONK, WILLIAM F. CELLINI, SR., JOHN HARRIS, and ROBERT BLAGOJEVICH
“Alonzo Monk was a long-time associate of defendant ROD BLAGOJEVICH, and among other things served as his general counsel while a Member of Congress, as campaign manager for his 2002 and 2006 gubernatorial campaigns, on his transition team after his election in November 2002, and as his Chief of Staff from in or about January 2003 until in or about December 2005. Beginning in or about early 2007, Monk worked as a lobbyist, doing business as AM3 Consulting, Ltd. As a lobbyist, Monk principally represented businesses with interests involving Illinois state government, including businesses in the horse racing industry. In addition, Monk served as Chairman of Friends of Blagojevich from in or about December 2006 to in or about July 2007.”
“Means and Method of the Conspiracy
6. It was part of the conspiracy that defendants ROD BLAGOJEVICH and CHRISTOPHER KELLY, as well as co-conspirators Alonzo Monk, William
F. Cellini, Sr., John Harris, Robert Blagojevich, Antoin Rezko, and Stuart Levine, and others, engaged in a scheme to deprive the people of the State of Illinois and the beneficiaries of TRS of their intangible right to the honest services of defendant ROD BLAGOJEVICH, Alonzo Monk, John Harris, and Stuart Levine, as more fully described in Count Two, paragraphs 3 through 44 of this indictment.
7.
It was further part of the conspiracy that defendants ROD BLAGOJEVICH and KELLY, along with Monk, Cellini, Robert Blagojevich, Harris, Rezko, and Levine, and others, used and attempted to use the powers of the Office of the Governor and of certain state boards and commissions subject to the influence of the Office of the Governor, to take and cause governmental actions, including: appointments to boards and commissions; the awarding of state business, grants, and investment fund allocations; the enactment of legislation and executive orders; and the appointment of a United States Senator; in exchange for financial benefits for themselves and others, including campaign contributions for ROD BLAGOJEVICH, money for themselves, and employment for ROD BLAGOJEVICH and his wife.”

“Defendants ROD BLAGOJEVICH and KELLY, along with Rezko and Monk, agreed to direct lucrative state business relating to the refinancing of billions of dollars in State of Illinois Pension Obligation Bonds to a company whose lobbyist agreed to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars to Rezko out of the fee the lobbyist would collect, and Rezko in turn agreed to split the money with ROD BLAGOJEVICH, KELLY, and Monk;”

Citizen Wells – Note Ata contributions to Obama below
“Rezko arranged for a total of $50,000 in contributions to Friends of Blagojevich from Ali Ata, a Chicago-area businessman, and in exchange for those contributions discussed with Ata, ROD BLAGOJEVICH, and Monk obtaining a high-level state appointment for Ata, whom ROD BLAGOJEVICH ultimately appointed as the executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority;”

“At times, ROD BLAGOJEVICH acted with the assistance of others, including Monk, Harris, and Robert Blagojevich. These efforts included, but were not limited to, attempts to:

a. withhold a state grant to benefit a publicly-supported school until a campaign fundraiser for ROD BLAGOJEVICH was held by a United States Congressman who supported the school, or by a relative of that United States Congressman;

b.
extort a campaign contribution from Children’s Memorial Hospital, a not-for-profit children’s hospital located in Chicago, Illinois, and its chief executive officer, in return for official action on state reimbursement for pediatric care;”

“It was part of the scheme to defraud that defendants ROD BLAGOJEVICH, MONK, HARRIS, and ROBERT BLAGOJEVICH, together with Kelly, Cellini, Rezko, Levine, and others, used and attempted to use the powers of the Office of the Governor, and of certain state boards and commissions subject to influence by the Office of the Governor, to take and cause governmental actions, including: appointments to boards and commissions; the awarding of state business, grants, and investment fund allocations; the enactment of legislation and executive orders; and the appointment of a United States Senator; in exchange for financial benefits for themselves and others, including campaign contributions for ROD BLAGOJEVICH, money for themselves, and employment for ROD BLAGOJEVICH and his wife.”

“It was further part of the scheme that to ensure that defendants ROD BLAGOJEVICH and MONK would continue to give Rezko substantial influence regarding matters such as appointments to boards and commissions, the selection of candidates for state employment, and the awarding of state contracts, grants, and investment fund allocations, Rezko gave certain benefits to ROD BLAGOJEVICH and MONK, including the following:
a.
In or about late August 2003, Rezko directed to ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife a payment of $14,396, purportedly in connection with a real estate transaction involving property at 850 North Ogden Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, for which transaction ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife had not performed any services.
b.
From in or about October 2003 to in or about May 2004, Rezko, through his real estate development company, provided ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife with payments of $12,000 a month, purportedly for real estate brokerage services.
c.
In or about January 2004, while Rezko’s real estate development company was paying ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife $12,000 a month, Rezko directed to ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife a payment of $40,000, purportedly for brokerage services in connection with the sale of property at 1101 West Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois, even though ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife had provided few, if any, services in relation to that sale.
d.
From in or about the spring of 2004 until in or about 2006, Rezko provided to MONK a number of $10,000 cash gifts to pay for various items, such as a car and home improvements, which cash gifts totaled approximately $70,000 to $90,000.”

Read more:

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

From the Tony Rezko Trial

“March 10, 2008; 12:46 a.m.

The government alleges that Antoin “Tony” Rezko and Stuart Levine worked together to try to rig decisions on where to invest tens of millions of dollars in state pension funds. Prosecutors worked Monday to link the two through the testimony of Jill Hayden, the former director of boards and commissions for Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Levine had been appointed to the teacher’s pension fund board by Blagojevich’s Republican predecessors, but his appointment expired in 2004. In mid-May 2004, Blagojevich reappointed him. Hayden testified that a few days before that appointment was finalized, she got a call from Rezko urging her to speed things up.

“He called me and he said we need to move on Stuart Levine,” Hayden testified. Hayden said Rezko told her he had already spoken to her boss, Blagojevich chief of staff Lon Monk, about the Levine reappointment and been assured the appointment would go through.

Hayden said Rezko laughed when she said she would have to check with Monk herself. “I took that to mean that I could go ahead and ask him, but it was already a done deal,” she recalled.

Government filings in the case suggest a reason behind the alleged rush. The government claims that Levine and Rezko were arranging to take kickbacks from investment firms in exchange for pension business that was to be voted on within days of Levine’s reappointment.

Hayden also testified that Rezko had at one point sought to have Ruth Rothstein, then the longtime head of the Cook County health system, appointed to the Health Facilities Planning Board, another regulatory panel prosecutors allege Rezko was involved in corrupting.”

“March 19, 2008; 11:21 a.m.

Prosecution witness Stuart Levine is walking jurors through the evolution of his relationship with defendant Tony Rezko. The two met at a dinner party shortly before the 2002 election in which Rezko’s close friend Rod Blagojevich was elected governor.

At the dinner, Levine said he learned that Rezko was holding up a lucrative real estate deal that would have rendered a hefty kickback for Levine. Rezko promised to back off and was true to his word, Levine said.

With the assistance of political insider Robert Kjellander, Levine said he set up a meeting with Rezko about a month later to discuss an insurance deal Levine was trying to get for a client with Cook County. Levine said Kjellander had told him Rezko held considerable sway in Cook County government.

Levine said he met increasingly with Rezko in early 2003 after Blagojevich was sworn in as governor. On occasion, Levine said, Rezko described his close relationship with Blagojevich.

“He said that he had raised a great deal of money for Gov. Blagojevich and that he had great hopes and expectations that Gov. Blagojevich would run for president,” Levine recalled. “And although he knew it was a long shot, he was working toward that end.”

Levine also said that Rezko told him that he and fellow Blagojevich fundraiser Christopher Kelly “exercised the most influence” in Blagojevich’s kitchen cabinet. And Levine said Rezko told him that “all the major decisions in the governor’s office were cleared through [chief of staff] Lon Monk and through Mr. Rezko.”

“Mr. Rezko told me that he was able to have individuals appointed to state boards and was able to have individuals hired into state agencies and that he spoke very often — and in fact went over decisions — that Lon Monk would put into place,” Levine said.

In summer 2003, Levine said he met with Rezko at his office on Elston Avenue and the two talked over the notion of Levine’s position on a state pension board to make money for themselves.

“Anything that I, Mr. Rezko, decide to do at TRS [the pension board], you’ll be a part of it,” Levine said Rezko told him.

Levine said Rezko made it clear that Levine’s assistance was required, and “any moneys that would be earned in doing that he would share with me.”

Levine said that as he left the meeting, he told Rezko he was “extraordinarily pleased to know him and I thought we could do a lot of business together.”

Asked by a prosecutor to elaborate, Levine said, “I meant there were illegal deals that I could bring to TRS and perhaps to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board,” on which Levine also served.”
Chicago Tribune Rezko trial transcripts

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-court-story-archive,0,6366703.htmlstory

Evelyn Pringle Curtain time for Obama part 1
“Even in 2006, he said, Rezko assured him that things were going to turn out all right because of a plan to get rid of Fitzgerald. When asked why he believed Rezko could get him removed, Ata said, “Mr. Rezko has the influence and power to do that.”

Ata told prosecutors he lied to the FBI in December 2005, because he was encouraged to be a “team player” by people he believed to be acting on Rezko’s behalf. When he received a grand jury subpoena in late 2005, he said, people contacted him in an effort to stop him from cooperating.

After he met with Federal agents the first time, Ata said, he got a voice-mail from Michael Rumman. The voice mail said Rumman was traveling with “our friend,” meaning Rezko, and asked Ata to delay meeting with investigators.

On his final day on the stand, Ata told the jury he finally agreed to cooperate with the Feds in April 2008, after an unnamed person delivered a threat. He testified that prosecutors once had him wear a wire to make a recording after the person threatened him.

Ata told the jury he delivered one $25,000 contribution to Blagojevich at Rezko’s office in the latter part of 2002, and the three men discussed the prospects of Ata getting an appointment in the administration. He said people at the office that day included Blagojevich’s campaign chief and later chief of staff, Lon Monk, Christopher Kelly, and state Representative Jay Hoffman.

“I learned that Mr. Hoffman was part of a select group of advisers that were referred to as the kitchen cabinet,” Ata told the jury.

“The way Ali Ata described it, the waiting room in the North Side office of Antoin “Tony” Rezko seemed as busy as an airport terminal,” the Tribune noted on May 1, 2008.

Ata brought another $25,000 check to a fundraiser on July 25, 2003, and he was appointed to lead the Finance Authority.

Ata made a $5,000 donation to Obama less than a month earlier on June 30, 2003. Ata is also an investor in Riverside Park. Almost without fail, the people identified in the Board Games cases as investors in Riverside Park contributed to Obama’s US senate campaign.

According to the Sun-Times, to raise the $8 million to spring Rezko out of jail in April, in addition to the $2 million worth of property pledged by Alsammarae, six people who are “current or former state employees,” also put up property.

The list has three current employees from Rumman’s former Department of Central Management Services, including Jenan Shamoun, Donald Lynch, and Mustafa Abdalla.

A state employee familiar with the hiring of the employees told the Associated Press that CMS personnel were pressured by then-director Rumman to hire them

Campaign records show Mustafa Abdalla gave Obama $1,000 on June 30, 2003.”

Evelyn Pringle Curtain time for Obama part 2

“Feds track Obama’s visits to Rezko

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

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

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

“Is that true?” the reporter asked.

“No,” Obama said, “That’s not accurate.”

“I think what is true,” he said, “is that, it depends on the period of time.”

“I’ve known him for 17 years,” Obama stated. “There were stretches of time where I would see him once or twice a year.”

He told the Times, “when he was involved in finance committee for the U.S. Senate race, or the state senate races, or the U.S. Congressional race, then he was an active member.”

“During the U.S. Senate race, there’s be stretches of like a couple of weeks – for example prior to him organizing the fundraiser that he did for us – where I would probably be talking to him once a day to make sure that was going well,” he said.

“But the typical relationship was one that was fond,” he added. “We would see each other.”

“But there would be no reason for me to be seeing him that often,” he stated.

This issue may be sorted out soon enough because Fitzgerald’s charts matching up Obama’s contributions, visits and calls are bound to be every bit as thorough as the ones produced to prove Rezko is guilty as charged in the first trial. They simply were not produced because they were not needed to prove the defendant guilty in the first case.

As an example of what records might be squirreled away, consider that an FBI agent presented a chart to the jury on April 28, 2008, showing 257 calls from Rezko’s phones to Blagojevich’s chief of staff, Lon Monk, between March 2004 and May 2004 alone.”
Evelyn Pringle articles

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

 We may never know the full extent of Alonzo Monk’s role in crime and corruption due to his guilty plea. One thing is certain, just as in the case of Blagojevich, Rezko and Obama, what we do know is just the tip of the iceberg.

Alonzo Monk pleads guilty, Obama Health care reform, Rod Blagojevich health care, Illinois pay to play, Chicago politics, Chicago corruption, Obama cronies, Monk and Obama ties

Alonzo Monk pleads guilty

Part 1

 

I was preparing an article on Alonzo Monk, former chief of staff for Rod Blagojevich, who just pled guilty to corruption charges. Instead of just writing the simple story, a story barely covered by the press, I wanted to provide more background information and the depth of involvement in crime and corruption in Chicago and Illinois and how this is also an indictment of Barack Obama. As in any story involving Obama, there is just too much to write about in one article.
I came across this article from the Chicago Tribune dated December 23, 2007. The article, written many months before Rod Blagojevich was indicted, explains how Heath Care reform, Illinois pay to play style works. Change some names and dates and what do you have? The current Obama attempt to ram government run health care down our throats and enrich his cronies.
“For years, Rod Blagojevich has projected two distinct images that define his tenure as Illinois’ governor.

In one, he is a populist champion with an agenda of “putting people first” by pushing causes like health care for all. In the other, he is a consummate politician with cronies who offer advice while raising campaign cash and asking for favors.”
“Federal prosecutors for the first time have put Blagojevich inside their widespread investigation of pay-to-play in his administration. Blagojevich told one convicted federal informant, “You stick with us and you will do very well for yourself,” according to a court document prosecutors filed.”
“Nix, however, disputed that Knapp’s influence is overriding. Instead, she said Blagojevich long has used a team approach to politicking and governing. In this vein, he is a public official heavily reliant on his aides. His team has a core nucleus of Nix, chief of staff John Harris, former chief of staff Alonzo Monk, longtime political aide John Wyma, state Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville), state Sen. James DeLeo (D-Chicago) and campaign spokesman Doug Scofield.

But Monk, Scofield and Wyma are lobbyists, and their clients have won millions in state contracts under Blagojevich’s stewardship. And Kelly, another close adviser and friend, was indicted this month on federal tax fraud charges.

Blagojevich allies and confidants said the governor opened his second term with two key missions for 2007: First, he wanted to expand government-covered health care insurance to all Illinoisans; second, he wanted, once and for all, to politically wound his chief nemesis, House Speaker Michael Madigan, chairman of the state Democratic Party.”
“Health care “is an issue that he feels is a fundamental right,” Hoffman said. “I think he’s willing to stake his administration on it and that’s what this fight is all about.””
“This strategy has worked marvelously in the thick of campaign season. He handily won both gubernatorial contests by creating an enemy—the scandal-marred Gov. George Ryan was used in both cases—and then excoriating that enemy by claiming that he would defend the public against this foe.”

Read more:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2007/12/gov-blagojevich.html

Sound familiar?

Now revisit articles from Citizen Wells that reveal the ties between Obama and Chicago and Illinois corruption figures, including Alonzo Monk, and decide if you want Health Care Reform, Chicago style.
December 9, 2008

The real Rod Blagojevich, et al and Obama ties

 

December 22, 2008

Hospital CEO Wore Wire, helped build Graft Cases In Illinois

March 6, 2009

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

IL Health Facilities Planning Board rigged

August 10, 2009

Mercy Hospital kickbacks

“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.”

Children’s Memorial Hospital seen as potential shakedown target

“Levine testified that he called Rezko on April 24 to set up a meeting to discuss their next shakedown target: Children’s
Memorial Hospital.”

Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama’s job and salary

“Jarrett was appointed chairman of the University of Chicago Medical Center Board in June 2006. She was also made
chairman of a newly created Executive Committee of that Board, according to a June 13, 2006 University announcement. In
addition, Jarrett was named vice-chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, the announcement states. Michelle landed a high paying job at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Two months after Obama became a US senator, she was appointed vice president for community and external affairs. Tax returns show the promotion nearly tripled her pay to
$317,000 in 2005, from $122,000 in 2004.”

Obama healthcare, Chicago corruption

September 12, 2009

Planning board votes rigged for Mercy Hospital scheme

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

“It was further part of the conspiracy that defendants ROD BLAGOJEVICH and KELLY, along with Monk, Cellini, Robert
Blagojevich, Harris, Rezko, and Levine, and others, used and attempted to use the powers of the Office of the Governor
and of certain state boards and commissions subject to the influence of the Office of the Governor, to take and cause
governmental actions, including: appointments to boards and commissions; the awarding of state business, grants, and
investment fund allocations; the enactment of legislation and executive orders; and the appointment of a United States
Senator; in exchange for financial benefits for themselves and others, including campaign contributions for ROD
BLAGOJEVICH, money for themselves, and employment for ROD BLAGOJEVICH and his wife.”

Cristopher Kelly dead, Planning board rigging
 

September 13, 2009

“Kelly dies of possible overdose
Authorities say death may be suicide but are investigating it as homicide”

“Kelly, 51, who was to report to federal prison officials this week to start serving an 8-year sentence, died Saturday at
Stroger Hospital in what authorities said was a possible suicide from an over-the-counter medication. An autopsy is
scheduled for Sunday, and police in Chicago and south suburban Country Club Hills are conducting a death investigation.

Kelly’s death ended a tumultuous year in his life. He twice pleaded guilty to federal charges. He was estranged from his
wife. And he faced serious financial problems, partly due to gambling debts. But Kelly indicated he was not going to turn
on Blagojevich despite pressure from prosecutors.”

Citizen Wells clarification

“Do not let the fact that the federal prosecutors convicted Kelly because of his corruption involving O’Hare International Airport. Just as most of the corruption Blagojevich had to do with “pay to play” politics in Chicago and Illinois, Kelly was involved with Blagojevich, Rezko, Levine and ultimately Obama in the Planning Board rigging that corrupted the Mercy Hospital deal.”

Christpher Kelly’s role clarified
 
  

What is the current attempt by Obama and liberal Democrats at health care reform all about?

  • Appeasing their far left core support.
  • More control over the American people to get votes.
  • Payback to trial lawyers and other big supporters (refer to contribution table above).
  • Achieving the goals of far left, socialist, communists who are controlling the party with the goal of redistribution of wealth..

Truth about Obama Health care Reform

Would you trust Obama, et al with your and your family’s health care?

Please pass this story along to Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and as many people as possible. The story of Alonzo Monk pleading guilty has been barely covered. The much larger story of Monk’s involvement in Illinois corruption, the impact on health care in IL and Monk’s ties to Obama is a much bigger story. And the really big story is that Obama is trying to force health care changes on this country just like Rod Blagojevich tried, for the enrichment of himself and his cronies.

For additional insight:

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