Category Archives: Real estate

2011 Worst year for new home sales on record, November home sales indicator of growth?, Existing home sales revised downward, Accurate reporting?

2011 worst year for new home sales on record, November home sales indicator of growth?, Existing home sales revised downward, Accurate reporting?

I was listening to the “news” on Friday and heard that the financial markets had reacted to a report that new home sales were up in November.

From Business Week December 23, 2011.

“U.S. Stocks Rise as Durable Goods, Home Sales Signal Expansion”

“U.S. stocks rose, pushing the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to a 0.6 percent yearly rally, as expansion in U.S. industrial purchases and stronger new-home sales offset weaker-than-forecast consumer spending.”

http://news.businessweek.com/article.asp?documentKey=1376-LWNIPD6K50XU01-77BNR0NIDMIOSLU0177OO73CP4

New home sales reality check.

From MSN Business news December 26, 2011.

“Worst year for new home sales in US”

“Americans probably bought more homes in November, but 2011 likely will end up as the worst year for new-home sales since the government began keeping records in 1963.

Sales last month are expected to rise to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 312,000, according to a survey of economists by FactSet. That’s less than half the 700,000 that economists say must be sold to sustain a healthy housing market.

The Commerce Department will release the report on Friday morning.

In October, new-home sales rose 1.3 per cent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 307,000. But the median price fell to its lowest level of the year: $US212,300 ($A210,200).

The year’s sales pace is trailing last year’s total of 323,000 new homes sold, the fewest on record.

Economists say housing is a long way from fully recovering. Builders have stopped working on many projects because it’s been hard for them to get financing or to compete with cheaper resale homes. For many Americans, buying a home remains too big a risk more than four years after the housing bubble burst.

Even so, home construction has begun a gradual comeback and should add to economic growth in 2011. The main reason is that the rate of apartment construction is nearly twice as fast as it was two years ago.

And rising interest from would-be buyers left US homebuilders less pessimistic about the housing market in December, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index. It rose two points this month, reaching its highest level since May 2010.

Though new-home sales represent less than 10 per cent of the housing market, they have an outsize impact on the economy. Each home built creates an average of three jobs for a year and generates about $US90,000 in tax revenue, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Home prices have tumbled, the job market remains weak and unemployment is still high at 8.6 per cent. Some people who want to buy can’t qualify for a loan or make the higher downpayments that banks are demanding.”

http://news.businessweek.com/article.asp?documentKey=1376-LWNIPD6K50XU01-77BNR0NIDMIOSLU0177OO73CP4

Existing homes sales were recently revised downward.

From Citizen Wells December 14, 2011.

“Five years of home sales to be revised lower in ‘meaningful’ way”

“If you thought the U.S. housing market couldn’t get much worse, think again.

Far fewer homes have been sold over the past five years than previously estimated, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday.

NAR said it plans to downwardly revise sales of previously-owned homes going back to 2007 during the release of its next existing home sales report on Dec. 21.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/five-years-of-home-sales-revised-lower-national-association-of-realtors-far-fewer-homes-sold-over-last-5-years-mls-data/

 

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Five years of home sales revised lower, National Association of Realtors, Far fewer homes sold over last 5 years, MLS data

Five years of home sales revised lower, National Association of Realtors, Far fewer homes sold over last 5 years, MLS data

From the Chicago Tribune December 14, 2011.

“Five years of home sales to be revised lower in ‘meaningful’ way”

“If you thought the U.S. housing market couldn’t get much worse, think again.

Far fewer homes have been sold over the past five years than previously estimated, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday.

NAR said it plans to downwardly revise sales of previously-owned homes going back to 2007 during the release of its next existing home sales report on Dec. 21.

NAR’s existing home sales numbers, released monthly, are a closely followed gauge of the health of the housing market.

While NAR hasn’t revealed exactly how big the revision to home sales will be, the agency’s chief economist Lawrence Yun said the decrease will be “meaningful.“

“For the real estate business, this means the housing market’s downturn was deeper than what was initially thought,“ Yun said.

Yun said the database NAR uses to track existing home sales, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), has led the real estate agency to over-count existing home sales for several reasons.

The MLS database only includes home sales listed by realtors, and excludes homes listed by owners, providing a very narrow view of the market. And because more people are using realtors to list their homes instead of selling them independently, realtor-listed sales numbers have become artificially inflated, said Yun.

In addition, some of the assumptions NAR used in calculating its data have become outdated, since they were based on 2000 Census data.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-existing-home-sales-to-be-revised-lower-in-meaningful-way-20111214,0,2475335.story

Obama Olympic bid, Denmark, IOC, Olympic committee decision, Chicago, IL, Valerie Jarrett, Michelle Obama, Chicago pay to play politics, Michelle Malkin, Fox News, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity

“Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.”  The Olympic Charter

 

What do Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama have in common?

Long term, strong ties to corruption in Chicago and Illinois.

They have traveled to Denmark to persuade the IOC, International Olympic Committee, to select Chicago as the host city for the 2016 Olympics. As reported by the Citizen Wells blog yesterday:
“What is this really about?
Obama’s pay to play contribution to cronies, diversions away from troubling issues that cloud his presidency and trying to prop up his failing legacy.”

“I was in the process of reporting more on Valerie Jarrett and her past ties to corruption in Chicago and I will do so. For now, Michelle Malkin does an excellent job in this video of exposing the truth about Obama and Jarrett and their motives for getting the Olympics for Chicago.”….Michelle Malkin and Fox News reveal truth

I sent this unplanned email last night after I chanced upon the press email link to the IOC. 
“As a youth, I had aspirations of participating in the Olympics.
I can state factually, and in all humility, that at one time I could compete with
anyone in the world up to 50 meters.
My life did not play out that way.
However, I had a successful business career and in the past several years I have been
researching and writing, covering the 2008 elections.
I have researched and written extensively about Barack Obama, his past and especially
about his ties to crime and corruption in Chicago and Illinois. Valerie Jarrett has many of
the corruption ties that Obama has.
 
I urge you to not consider Chicago, if for no other reason than the citizens of Chicago
do not want this and cannot afford more “pay to play politics” at their expense.
I will be writing more articles about this and I assure you that the American public will
not support this financially. This I can promise you.
 
Barack Obama is attempting to add a feather in his cap at the expense of American
citizens, something he has excelled in.
 
One of my favorite movies is “Chariots of Fire.” I beg of you to make your decision in the
spirit of true sportsmanship and higher ideals lived by the life of Eric Liddell.
 
Sincerely,
Mr. Wells”

Do I expect anyone to read this and factor it into their decision? No. However, if enough people stand up and say no to this, perhaps we can stop this travesty, even if Chicago is selected. It may be too late for Chicago, but we can still salvage the rest of the country.

From an article at NoQuarterUSA.com by Larry Johnson about the possibility of the Olympics being held in crime infested Chicago.
“16-year-old boy beaten to death in Chicago. This makes my heart ring low down to my knees. It keeps happening there. Something is wrong.

Baghdad, Belfast and Beirut sound like scary places. The inner city in America is even more troublesome to me than these places because one never knows the enemy is the enemy. I lived for a while in the Chicago area. Gangs were recruiting younger and younger members and, without “proper gang-military training” (yes – I read that phrase in a Chicago paper?!), some of their shots went into unintended windows.”
“Chicago continues to break all world records for youth on youth death by violence, excluding war zones. I dream of a day that we can find a way to understand why this happens and how we can stop it, without being an incarceration nation.”
“After drafting this post a friend made a private comment that I think should kick off the discussion.

You wrote in your post it isn’t Obama’s fault – but I think this is partly the fault of Obama and all his cronies. All those decrepit buildings and areas… not doing more to control the crime…. AIG

Yes. We seem to forget that Obama represented the South Side of Chicago after he cheated his way into the state senate. His number one fund-raiser, the convicted felon Tony Rezko, got favors through Obama to help Rezko become the most insensitive slumlord in modern history. In turn Obama got a sweet deal on his first mansion with Rezko’s help. I guess a state senator who thought about his poor constituents between his long bouts of self-adulation would have worked on Tony to educate him on the benefits of providing a better environment to raise families. But I never saw evidence of Barry telling Tony to straighten up or I am going to quit taking your money. Nope. I probably missed that press conference and subsequent speech on why it is America’s problem that we don’t understand that ghetto people are like hillbillies. We don’t really need them to follow Bill Ayers’ plan for america. Let them eat yellow cake.”

Read more:

http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2009/10/01/the-olympic-ring/

Consider Obama’s exploitation of the poor due to his long term close ties to ACORN

Report to the Catholic Bishops from 1997
“The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) which is also patterned on Alinsky’s organizational recommendations, recruits individual members.”
“To be eligible to receive CHD funds, a program must be run by the poor, benefit the poor, and change social structures that harm the poor.” However, in light of the politically oriented thrust of ACORN’s activities, it is fair to ask whether the CHD subsidies to ACORN are advisable and commensurate with the purposes of CHD.”

 
“However, when the CHD funds Alinsky-style, church-based community organizations as in the best interest of the poor and supports organizations which advance other agendas, it divests the poor of their right to an authentic voice. This process tends to treat the poor as exploited units of human capital, rather than as human beings created in the dignity of God’s image.”

Read more:

http://www.wandererforum.org/publications/focus025.html

 

Fox News, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and MIchelle Malkin have done a superb job of exposing the real agenda of Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama. The day after Glenn Beck began exposing Valerie Jarrett and her hidden agenda, the White House blog began their Orwellian lie and smear campaign against Beck.
White House blog
“WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2009 AT 1:15 PM
Reality Check: Trying to Turn a Point of Pride into a Moment of Shame
Posted by Jesse Lee
 
Last night Fox News continued its disregard for the facts in an attempt to smear the Administration’s efforts to win the Olympics for the United States. In the past, hosting the Olympics has been a source of pride and unity for the country, but once again Fox News’ Glenn Beck program has shown that nothing is worthy of respect if it can be used as part of a partisan attack to boost ratings.
 
RHETORIC:          BECK SAID VANCOUVER LOST $1 BILLION WHEN IT “HAD THE OLYMPICS.”   Glenn Beck said, “Vancouver lost, how much was it? they lost a billion dollars when they had the Olympics.”  [Transcript, Glenn Beck Show, 9/29/09]
 
REALITY:              VANCOUVER’S OLYMPICS WILL NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL 2010.   Vancouver will host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games from February 12 – 28, 2010 and March 12-21, 2010, respectively. [Vancouver2010.com, accessed 9/29/09]”

Citizen Wells response

had – past tense of ownership. A better word, perhaps could have been chosen, such as has. However, had is accurate since they have been working on this for some time and are already losing a large sum of money.

From CBC News Canada, January 9, 2009:

“Vancouver taxpayers could be on the hook for as much as $875 million to complete the Olympic Athletes Village unless city council can reopen a loan given to the developer or find new financing.”

“The Olympic village is a billion-dollar project, and the city taxpayers are on the hook for all of it.”
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson

Let’ see, January 9, 2009. That appears to be past tense. Citizen Wells
White House blog
RHETORIC: VALERIE JARRETT WILL BENEFIT FINANCIALLY. Beck asked, “Is it possible that she is going to benefit if the Olympics come to Chicago?” Caddell responded, “Well, that’s the word. She has certainly had a lot of dealings going on in real estate.” [Transcript, Glenn Beck Show, 9/29/09]
 
REALITY: UPON ENTERING GOVERNMENT, VALERIE JARRETT DIVESTED ALL HER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS EXCEPT FOR A SINGLE INVESTMENT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OLYMPIC BID. Valerie Jarrett divested all her investment real estate holdings upon entering government except for a single real estate holding that she was unable to sell. This single real estate investment has been determined by White House Counsel and the independent Office of Government Ethics to present no conflict of interest in performing her duties as a White House advisor.  It has nothing to do with the Olympic bid.
Citizen Wells response

Valerie Jarrett, as Obama, is entrenched in Chicago pay to play politics. She worked for Mayor daley years ago, worked with Michelle Obama at several jobs and gave Michelle an almost triple pay raise after Obama was elected to the US Senate. Her involvement in shady real estate transactions and slum housing is well documented. She has not been divested of political connections that will benefit her and them.

Conclusion

Regardless of whether or not the IOC selects Chicago, we the American people should not get stuck with the bill before during or after the event and we should not pay for Obama’s falling legacy boost or involvement in pay to play politics.

IOC, if you select Chicago as the site for the 2016 Olympics, you will regret it. Chicagoans and the American public does not support it.

What can you do?

Regardless of which city the IOC selects, contact your congressmen and let them know you are fed up with pay to play politics and paying for shady political maneuvers. Valerie Jarrett is already trying to craft a suspicious HUD deal. We are beginning to see more than the tip of the iceberg of ACORN corruption in Chicago and nationwide and Obama’s long time ties. We cannot aford more of the same.

Obama, Valerie Jarrett, Chicago, Olympics, Corrruption, Narcissism, Obama legacy, Taxpayers will pay, Michelle Malkin, Chicago pay to play politics, Jarrett real estate connections, Michelle Obama hospital job

The Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett, Michelle Obama trip to Denmark to secure the 2016 Olympics for Chicago.

What is this really about?
Obama’s pay to play contribution to cronies, diversions away from troubling issues that cloud his presidency and trying to prop up his failing legacy.

  • We do not support the 2016 Chicago Olympics bid and it’s burden for the taxpayers.
  • We will not support the narcissistic agenda of Obama who is already trying to save his legacy.
  • We will not support ongoing pay to play Chicago politics.
  • We will not support the agenda of Velerie Jarrett.
  • We got rid of Van Jones, who was endorsed by Jarrett.
  • It is time to get rid of Jarrett and then Obama.

I was in the process of reporting more on Valerie Jarrett and her past ties to corruption in Chicago and I will do so. For now, Michelle Malkin does an excellent job in this video of exposing the truth about Obama and Jarrett and their motives for getting the Olympics for Chicago.

I suppose if Chicagoans really want to host the olympics it is their business, although it does not appear to be the case.
Chicago Tribune poll

47% for
45% against

However, we do not want any federal money going to corrupt Chicago for continued pay to play.

Contact your congressmen and let them know.
Everything that Obama has been involved with in the past in Chicago has hurt the taxpayers and the poor and ended in indictments for widespread corruption and crime in Chicago and Illinois.

God bless Michelle Malkin, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Fox News for reporting on this huge scandal.

 

Thanks to commenter LM.

Obama indictment, Obama must be arrested, Patrick Fitzgerald, Blagojevich arrest, Raghuveer P. Nayak seeks immunity, December 22, 2008, Obama Rezko Levine Weinstein Blagojevich,Nayak, Pay to play, Chicago corruption, US Dept of Justice, IL corruption, Will Nayak talk?

Why Barack Obama should be indicted

Part 12

One or more of the following events should happen:

  • Obama steps down.
  • Obama is forced to prove eligibility.
  • Obama is indicted and/or arrested.

If one of the above does not occur within a few months,
perhaps we should look to the Declaration of Independence
or Thomas Jefferson, for our next strategy.

Raghuveer P. Nayak, the unnamed “Individual D” referred
to in the Rod Blagojevich criminal complaint, is seeking
immunity. This is making news because of the Blagojecvich
arrest and potential ties the Obama appointees. However,
like so many names mentioned in the context of Chicago and
IL corrupton, Nayak has ties to Barack Obama and Rod
Blagojevich that go back for years.

Nayak’s recent involvement

“A mysterious “Individual D” in the ongoing Illinois political
scandal to auction off President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant
U.S. Senate seat has now been identified as Raghuveer Nayak,
a millionaire Chicago area Indian businessman whose voice
turned up on FBI wiretaps and bugs of Democratic Gov. Rod
Blagojevich.

Nayak is “Individual D” in the criminal complaint outlining
the case against the governor, according to an exclusive
story in Monday’s Chicago Tribune. Nayak is heard on the
tapes being squeezed by Blagojevich to raise campaign money
in return for naming Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to Obama’s vacant
seat.

Nayak, one of a savvy band of local moneymen who help fund
the state’s Democratic political machine year-in-and-out,
is now reportedly negotiating with federal prosecutors for
immunity in return for his testimony.”

Read more here

March 18, 2008 article on Nayak, Blagojevich, Rezko, Weisner

“Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Move Over Rezko; Weisner-Blagojevich Crony Raghuveer Nayak
Continues to Spend Thousands on Elected Officials…in Iowa?

Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, boytoy Gerry Galloway and
crony Raghuveer Nayak are viewing a property in downtown
Aurora in the path of a major development back in 2005.
Nayak is spreading his money around. All the way to Iowa.”

“Raghuveer Nayak, the campaign crony who has dumped tens of
thousands of dollars into the campaign pockets of Aurora
Mayor Tom Weisner and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, seems
to in a race to compete with another star campaign donor
from Illinois, Tony Rezko, to see how many people he can
contribute to and apparently “influence.”

While Rezko’s list includes some power names in Illinois,
including our local political rockstar, U.S. Senator and
Presidential candidate Barack Obama, Nayak seems to be
broadening his geographical reach (and Nayak is a Hillary
 Clinton buddy).”

Read more here

Obama money woes in 2000

“After an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in 2000, Illinois
state Sen. Barack Obama faced serious financial pressure:
numerous debts, limited cash and a law practice he had
neglected for a year. Help arrived in early 2001 from a
significant new legal client — a longtime political
supporter.

Chicago entrepreneur Robert Blackwell Jr. paid Obama an
$8,000-a-month retainer to give legal advice to his growing
technology firm, Electronic Knowledge Interchange. It
allowed Obama to supplement his $58,000 part-time state
Senate salary for over a year with regular payments from
Blackwell’s firm that eventually totaled $112,000.”

Chuck Neubauer and Tom Hamburger, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
April 27, 2008

Obama and Shomon help Blackwell get state grants

The Case Against Barack Obama reveals Shomon connection

Shomon connections to Weisner and Aurora, IL

“Dan Shomon, who’s background is in media, has a lobbying
contract for the City of Aurora (scroll down or click for
our post on how Dan Shomon is fleecing the taxpayers of
Aurora). He got that contract after helping to secure a
political endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for then-candidate
for Mayor of Aurora, Tom Weisner. That’s after
Obama said he wan’t going to be a “kingmaker” in Aurora.

We think it’s HIGHLY unethical of Dan Shomon or Tom Weisner
to exploit the taxpayers of Aurora for political purpose.
Barack Obama’s credibility is also risked in the process of
Shomon and Weisner’s games at the expense of taxpayers.”

“Like the ill-advised connection to Obama in Aurora, thanks
to Dan Shomon, Obama is mentioned in the same discusion with
all these problems with Giannoulias. Not good for a
political rockstar who otherwise could be on his way to
becoming President of the United States.”

Read more here

“Aurora Mayor Thomas J. Weisner gave Shomon the lobbying
gig in exchange for political work, including getting the
endorsement of Barack Obama back in 2005 when Obama first
said he would remain “neutral” in the heated mayoral race.

Shomon’s main activities are political campaigns and helping
Obama and his friends like Alexi Giannoulias who is now the
Treasurer for the State of Illinois.”

“Plus, when all hell breaks loose on Weisner’s various problems
with cronyism and allegations of corruption (and it WILL),
it’s probably in Obama’s interest that Dan Shomon has nothing
to do with Weisner any longer.”

Read more here

Shoman, Obama’s main political adviser in 2002

“He consulted with Shoman, still his main political adviser
at the time, and Shomon told him…if Saltzman was urging him
to speak, he could not refuse. Moreover, Obama was trying to
draw Axelrod onto his Senate campaign team. It would not be
wise to disappoint Saltzman if he wanted her to continue
lobbying Axelrod on his behalf. So Obama agreed to speak…Obama
made the decision to protest the impending war in part as a
political calculation that he hoped would benefit him among
Democrats…”

2007 book, “OBAMA: From Promise to Power”
Chicago Tribune reporter David Mendell

Obama, Shomon, Blackwell, Blagojevich

“Robert Blackwell Jr., CEO and founder of Electronic Knowledge
Interchange Inc., has been named to the transition team of
Governor-elect Rod Blagojevich.”

Electronic Knowledge Interchange Inc. news release

“In one case, a firm that has given $20,000 to the governor
and is owned by a member of one of his transition-team committees
did no state work until after Blagojevich took office, records
show. During the last two years, Electronic Knowledge Interchange
has won $6 million in technology consulting and software
development contracts.
Dan Shomon, a spokesman for EKI, said the company never was
pressured to give to the governor.”

Blagojevich, Blackwell pay for play

We will learn more about Raghuveer P. Nayak in the coming days
and we can expect that he will be added to the list of informants
that will provide more information about the ties of Rod Blagojevich
and Barack Obama to corruption in Chicago and IL. It is already
apparent that Nayak was involved in the web of corruption that
ensnared Obama.

We urge to to read as much as possible about Obama’s ties to many
corruption figures in Chicago and IL, share this information with
as many people as possible and let the US Dept. of Justice know
how concerned you are.

Citizen Wells articles on Obama indictment

Secret Tapes Helped Build Graft Cases In Illinois, Washington Post, December 22, 2008, Pamela Meyer Davis, IL Health Planning Facilities Board, Stuart Levine, Blagojevich, Rezko, Barack Obama IL senate, Board rigged, 9 members, Obama corruption

The Washington Post has an article today, Monday, December 22,
2008, that reveals how tapes provided by Pamela Meyer Davis,
helped Patrick Fitzgerald and federal prosecutors begin their
shakedown of corruption in Chicago and IL that has led to the
arrest of Rod Blagojevich.

“Secret Tapes Helped Build Graft Cases In Illinois
Hospital CEO Reported Shakedown, Wore Wire”

Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, December 22, 2008″

“CHICAGO — The wide-ranging public corruption probe that led to the arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich got its first big break when a grandmother of six walked into a breakfast meeting with shakedown artists wearing an FBI wire.
Pamela Meyer Davis had been trying to win approval from a state health planning board for an expansion of Edward Hospital, the facility she runs in a Chicago suburb, but she realized that the only way to prevail was to retain a politically connected construction company and a specific investment house. Instead of succumbing to those demands, she went to the FBI and U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald in late 2003 and agreed to secretly record conversations about the project.

Her tapes led investigators down a twisted path of corruption that over five years has ensnared a collection of behind-the-scenes figures in Illinois government, including Joseph Cari Jr., a former Democratic National Committee member, and disgraced businessman Antoin “Tony” Rezko.

On Dec. 9, that path wound up at the governor’s doorstep. Another set of wiretaps suggested that Blagojevich was seeking to capitalize on the chance to fill the Senate seat just vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Many of the developments in Operation Board Games never attracted national headlines. They involved expert tactics in which prosecutors used threats of prosecution or prison time to flip bit players in a tangle of elaborate schemes that Fitzgerald has called pay-to-play “on steroids.”

But now, Fitzgerald’s patient strategy has led to uncomfortable questions not only for Blagojevich but also for the powerful players who privately negotiated with him, unaware that their conversations were being monitored. Democratic  Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. faces queries about his interest in the Senate seat, and key players in the Obama presidential transition team — White House Chief of Staff-designate  Rahm Emanuel and adviser Valerie Jarrett — are being asked about their contacts with the governor on the important appointment.”

“Meyer Davis’s hospital wasn’t the only one with problems winning approvals from the state board that reviewed new projects for health-care facilities. The Chicago Medical School wanted a student housing project and found itself steered to the same construction and investment firms. Mercy Hospital faced similar obstacles. The board held up requests for open-heart surgical units and community clinics, and it seemed that a high price tag was attached to moving the board toward action.

At the center of the scheme was board member Stuart Levine, a prominent GOP fundraiser and businessman. Levine also courted Blagojevich, flying him to fundraisers in Texas and New York at which the governor collected more than $120,000 in campaign contributions. Levine held seats on the health facilities board and the teachers pension board, which controlled more than $41 billion in assets.”

“Levine also had many connections. A telephone wiretap captured his discussions with Rezko, a fundraiser for Blagojevich and Obama, and several others who would become federal targets, according to lawyers who closely followed the trial testimony.”

“”Before they had Levine in the fold, they had his phone,” said former public corruption prosecutor Patrick Collins. “They happened to get up on Levine’s phone at a time when he was very active in his corrupt schemes.”

Fitzgerald’s office indicted Levine in 2005 on multiple fraud and extortion charges for his role in the state board schemes, securing along the way cooperation from the favored construction executive who had paid him kickbacks. But Levine’s path to cooperation took 18 more months. Faced with wiretap recordings, Levine realized his legal situation was nearly hopeless, struck a plea bargain and became the star witness against Rezko.

“Levine was the guy who’s given them everybody else,” said Jay Stewart, executive director of the Chicago-based Better Government Association.”
“Another head rolled at the Illinois Finance Authority. Director Ali Ata, a former fundraiser for Blagojevich, signed a sworn statement in April describing how Rezko had shaken him down four times for a total of $125,000 in bribes and large campaign contributions.”

“Fitzgerald’s team has scrambled to interview Jackson, as well as members of the Obama transition team who talked with Blagojevich about the appointment. A spokesman for Jackson said the lawmaker had told authorities about his tangle with Blagojevich, in which the congressman says the governor rejected Jackson’s wife for a lottery post after Jackson failed to raise $25,000 for the Blagojevich campaign.”

Read more here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/21/AR2008122102334.html?wpisrc=newsletter

For anyone following the Rezko trial and paying attention,
nothing in this article is a surprise. What is also obvious
is that the common denominator in all of these connections
is Barack Obama.

Nayak seeks immunity, Blagojevich arrest, Patrick Fitzgerald investigation, December 22, 2008, Raghuveer P. Nayak, Oak Brook businessman, Medical businesses, Political fundraiser, Individual D,Wiretaps, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Obama’s senate seat, Obama ties, Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Tribune has an article today, Monday,
December 22, 2008, that reveals that Raghuveer P. Nayak,
the unnamed “Individual D” referred to in the Rod
Blagojevich criminal complaint, is seeking immunity.

“Fundraiser seeks immunity in Blagojevich probe
Blagojevich allegedly pressured ‘Individual D’ for cash to pick Jackson
By David Kidwell and John Chase | Tribune reporters
December 22, 2008”

 
“A key figure in Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s alleged scheme to sell a U.S. Senate seat has sought immunity from federal authorities in return for his cooperation in their ongoing probe, the Tribune has learned.
Raghuveer P. Nayak, an Oak Brook businessman and political fundraiser, is the unnamed “Individual D” who prosecutors say was being squeezed by the governor for campaign cash in return for appointing U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, sources said.
Investigators appeared at Nayak’s Oak Brook home the morning the FBI arrested Blagojevich, the sources said. Nayak was among a number of people connected to the case who were contacted by federal agents that day.
Nayak has not been accused of wrongdoing and declined to comment. It is unclear what information he can provide to authorities, who said they had more work to do after moving quickly to interrupt the governor’s alleged scheme.”
“Nayak’s businesses have faced multiple audits by state and federal authorities since he first opened his Chicago drug stores in the early 1980s, according to interviews and records. In addition, his name came up repeatedly in one of the largest health-care fraud investigations in Illinois history.
Nayak was never charged in that case, or any other.
The multi-year federal probe resulted in the shuttering of two South Side hospitals—Doctors Hospital and Edgewater Medical Center—and the convictions of seven doctors and administrators. Nayak, who then owned a lab testing company called NR Laboratories as well as an outpatient surgery center, was among numerous individuals who came under scrutiny.”

 

“In 1987, Nayak was suspended for 60 days from the state’s public aid program after auditors concluded nearly 22 percent of billings at one of his pharmacies were fraudulent. In 1989, state auditors reported concerns that Nayak was giving free airline tickets to doctors who sent business to NR labs, which he has since sold. And in 2001, Nayak returned $20,000 in a federal Medicaid fraud lawsuit in Indiana.”

Read more here:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-nayakdec22,0,7892226.story
Nayak has longtime ties to Obama and Obama associates.
The Citizen Wells blog will provide “the rest of the “story’
soon in a continuing series on Obama’s ties to crime and
corruption in Chicago and IL.

Another tie to Obama to talk?
 

Obama indictment, Obama must be arrested, Patrick Fitzgerald, Blagojevich arrest, December 20, 2008, Obama Rezko Levine Weinstein Blagojevich, Pay to play, Chicago corruption, US Dept of Justice, IL corruption, Chicago Tribune, Charlotte Observer

Why Barack Obama should be indicted

Part 11

One or more of the following events should happen:

  • Obama steps down.
  • Obama is forced to prove eligibility.
  • Obama is indicted and/or arrested.

If one of the above does not occur within a few months,
perhaps we should look to the Declaration of Independence
or Thomas Jefferson, for our next strategy.

The truth about the Rod Blagojevich arrest and criminal
complaint and what it means for Barack Obama.

If you are getting your news from your local newspaper or
MSM media on TV, you probably believe that Blagojevich’s
arrest was mainly about his trying to make money off of
selling Obama’s senate seat and that Obama is innocent of
any wrongdoing. That is what the MSM and the Obama camp
want you to believe. Nothing could be further from the truth.

First of all, Obama was caught lying when he stated that he
had no contact with Blagojevich. That part is clear. Now for
the important part of this article. Patrick Fitzgerald was
not ready to indict Blagojevich, but when he discovered that
Blagojevich  was trying to sell the senate seat and the Chicago
Tribune prematurely leaked the story, he hurriedly created a
criminal complaint. The investigation of Blagojevich had been
going on for many months and the sentencing of Tony Rezko
was delayed several times to allow him to talk more.

According to FBI special agent Rob Grant:

“But we do know that something big is going on. “There is a lot
of investigation that still needs to be done,”

“There are critical interviews that we have to do and
cooperation we need to get from different people.”

Obama camp coverup of Obama lies

Exerpts from the Rod Blagojevich criminal complaint

“Count One
From in or about 2002 to the present, in Cook County, in the Northern District of Illinois, defendants did,
conspire with each other and with others to devise and participate in a scheme to defraud the State of Illinois and
the people of the State of Illinois of the honest services of ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH and JOHN HARRIS, in
furtherance of which the mails and interstate wire communications would be used, in violation of Title 18, United
States Code, Sections 1341,1343, and 1346; all in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 1349.”
“12. Because this affidavit is submitted for the limited purpose of securing a
criminal complaint and corresponding arrest warrants, I have not included each and every
fact known to me concerning this investigation.”
“a. Defendant ROD BLAGOJEVICH and at times defendant JOHN
HARRIS, together with others, obtained and attempted to obtain financial benefits for ROD
BLAGOJEVICH, members of the Blagojevich family, and third parties including Friends of
Blagojevich, in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state
employment, state contracts, and access to state funds;”
“15. The remainder of this affidavit first sets out certain information obtained prior
to the initiation of the court-authorized interceptions, relating to allegations that ROD
BLAGOJEVICH solicited and obtained campaign contributions in exchange for official
actions as Governor.”

 

III. FACTS ESTABLISHING PROBABLE CAUSE
A. Evidence Concerning the Solicitation and Receipt of Campaign
Contributions in Return for Official Acts by ROD BLAGOJEVICH Prior
to October 2008
1. Information Provided by Ali Ata
Connections to Ali Ata
“16. As described in more detail in the following paragraphs, Ali Ata testified under
oath in the spring of 2008 that Ata discussed with ROD BLAGOJEVICH a potential
appointment to a high-level position with the State of Illinois while a $25,000 donation check
to Friends of Blagojevich from Ata was sitting on a table in front of ROD BLAGOJEVICH.
Ata further testified that later, after Ata made another substantial contribution to Friends of
Blagojevich, ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Ata that he was aware of the donation, that he
understood that Ata would be joining his administration, and that Ata better get a job “where
[Ata] can make some money.””

 

“17. Ata is a businessman who, in May 2008, as part of a cooperation agreement
with the government, pled guilty to making false statements to the FBI and to tax fraud.2
Pursuant to his cooperation agreement, the government has interviewed Ata extensively
regarding a number of topics, including his knowledge of and involvement in fundraising for
ROD BLAGOJEVICH. In addition, Ata testified under oath at the criminal trial of Antoin
Rezko (the “Rezko Trial”) in May 2008.3 Portions of Ata’s testimony are directly relevant
to the current investigation. In summary, and in relevant part, Ata testified as follows during
the Rezko Trial:”

 

“21. Later that year, Rezko approached Ata for additional monetary support for
ROD BLAGOJEVICH. Ata agreed to contribute $25,000 in additional monies to the
campaign of ROD BLAGOJEVICH. Ata, subsequently and by prior arrangement with
Rezko, brought a check in this amount to Rezko’s offices on Elston Avenue in Chicago.
After he arrived at Rezko’s offices, Ata was greeted by Rezko to whom he handed the check
in an envelope. Rezko, carrying the check, ushered Ata into a conference room where he met
with Rezko and ROD BLAGOJEVICH. Rezko placed the envelope containing Ata’s
$25,000 check to ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s campaign on the conference room table between
himself and ROD BLAGOJEVICH and stated to ROD BLAGOJEVICH that Ata had been
a good supporter and a team player and that Ata would be willing to join ROD
BLAGOJEVICH’s administration. ROD BLAGOJEVICH expressed his pleasure and
acknowledged that Ata had been a good supporter and good friend. ROD BLAGOJEVICH,
in Ata’s presence, asked Rezko if he (Rezko) had talked to Ata about positions in the
administration, and Rezko responded that he had.”

Connections to Joseph Cari
“26. Cari was a significant fundraiser for Democratic causes and was previously the
national finance chair for Vice President Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign. During his
testimony, Cari described meetings that he had with ROD BLAGOJEVICH, Chris Kelly,
Rezko, and Stuart Levine7. In particular, on approximately October 29, 2003, Cari, ROD
BLAGOJEVICH, Kelly, Levine and others rode on an airplane arranged by Levine to a
fundraiser in New York being hosted by Cari on behalf of ROD BLAGOJEVICH. During
the plane ride, Cari had a conversation with ROD BLAGOJEVICH. 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. During the conversation, ROD BLAGOJEVICH informed
Cari that it was easier for governors to solicit campaign contributions because governors had
the ability to “award contracts” and give legal work, consulting work, and investment
banking work to campaign contributors. ROD BLAGOJEVICH informed Cari that Rezko
and Kelly were his point people in raising campaign contributions. Later in the conversation,
ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Cari that there were State of Illinois contracts and other State of
Illinois work that could be given to contributors who helped ROD BLAGOJEVICH, Rezko,
and Kelly. Cari testified that ROD BLAGOJEVICH ended the conversation with Cari by
informing Cari that Rezko and Kelly would follow up with Cari in relation to the discussion
that had just occurred.”

 

“28. Cari also testified about a conversation he had with Rezko at Rezko’s office.
Levine was also present for the conversation. According to Cari, Rezko informed Cari that
Rezko had a close relationship with the Blagojevich administration and Rezko had a role in
picking consultants and law firms and other entities to get State of Illinois business. Rezko
informed Cari that Rezko called ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s chief of staff, Lon Monk, and
Monk would help implement Rezko’s choices for certain State of Illinois work. Rezko
informed Cari that, in exchange for raising money for ROD BLAGOJEVICH, the
Blagojevich administration would be financially helpful to Cari’s business interests.”

Connections to Stuart Levine

 

“31. In approximately December 2003, the FBI began an investigation of allegations
that at least one member of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board (the “Planning
Board”), Stuart Levine, was soliciting bribes in exchange for board action. At the time,
Levine was a businessman who served on two state boards: the board of trustees of TRS, and
the Planning Board. As part of the investigation, the government sought and obtained court
authorization to record phone calls on multiple phones used by Levine.”
“32. On May 4, 2005, Levine was indicted in United States v. Levine, et al. 05 CR
408 (Grady, J.) on 28 counts of mail and wire fraud, extortion, bribery, and money
laundering. On August 3, 2005, Levine was indicted in United States v. Levine, et al., 05 CR
691 (St. Eve., J.) on 13 counts of mail and wire fraud, bribery, and attempted extortion. On
October 27, 2006, Levine pleaded guilty to Counts One and Twenty-Three of a superseding
indictment in Case No. 05 CR 691. As part of Levine’s plea agreement, the government
moved, on November 15, 2006, to dismiss the pending superseding indictment and
indictment against Levine in Case No. 05 CR 408.”
“33. Pursuant to his cooperation agreement, the government has interviewed Levine
extensively regarding a number of topics, including his knowledge of and involvement in the
corruption of Illinois state government and fundraising for ROD BLAGOJEVICH. In
addition, Levine testified under oath at the Rezko Trial.8 Portions of Levine’s testimony at
the Rezko trial are directly relevant to the current investigation. The remainder of this
section sets forth, in summary, and in relevant part, Levine’s testimony at the Rezko Trial,
except as noted where information is specifically identified as having been obtained from
other sources:”

Levine’s Plane Ride with Blagojevich

“34. According to Levine, in approximately late October 2003, after Levine was
reappointed to the Planning Board, he shared a private plane ride from New York to Chicago
with ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Kelly. Levine, ROD BLAGOJEVICH, and Kelly were the
only passengers on the flight. According to Levine, at the beginning of the flight, Levine
thanked ROD BLAGOJEVICH for reappointing him to the Planning Board. ROD
BLAGOJEVICH responded that Levine should only talk with “Tony” [Rezko] or [Kelly]
about the Planning Board, “but you stick with us and you will do very well for yourself.”
ROD BLAGOJEVICH said this in front of Kelly. According to Levine, Levine understood
from ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s manner of speaking and words that ROD BLAGOJEVICH
did not want Levine to talk to ROD BLAGOJEVICH directly about anything to do with the
boards, but that Levine should talk to Rezko or Kelly. Levine also understood that ROD
BLAGOJEVICH meant that Levine could make a lot of money working with ROD
BLAGOJEVICH’s administration. According to Levine, ROD BLAGOJEVICH did not
seem to expect a response from Levine, and Kelly then shifted the conversation to something
else.”

Corruption of the Planning Board

(This is the subject of the Citizen Wells plea to Fitzgerald
to indict Obama)

“35. As described more fully in the following paragraphs, Mercy Hospital, which
sought permission from the Planning Board to build a hospital in Illinois, received that
permission through Rezko’s exercise of his influence at the Planning Board after Rezko was
promised that Mercy Hospital would make a substantial campaign contribution to ROD
BLAGOJEVICH. Rezko later told a member of the Planning Board that Mercy Hospital
received the permit because ROD BLAGOJEVICH wanted the organization to receive the
permit.”

“36. Levine’s criminal activities included his abuse of his position on the Planning
Board to enrich both himself and Friends of Blagojevich. The 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. At the relevant time period, the Planning Board
consisted of nine individuals. 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.”

“37. Levine, as well as Planning Board members Thomas Beck and Imad
Almanaseer, testified under oath at the Rezko Trial.9 Beck testified that he asked Rezko to
reappoint him to the Planning Board and that Beck thereafter followed Rezko’s directions
regarding which CON applications Rezko wanted approved. Beck testified that it was his
job to communicate Rezko’s interest in particular CONs to other members of the Planning
Board, including Almanaseer, who were loyal to Rezko. Beck testified that he understood
that Rezko spoke for the Blagojevich administration when Rezko spoke to Beck about
particular CONs. Almanaseer testified that Beck instructed him that Rezko wanted
Almanaseer to vote a particular way and that Almanaseer should follow Levine’s lead in
voting on CONs. Almanaseer testified that before certain Planning Board meetings, he
received notecards from Beck indicating how to vote on certain CON applications. Beck
testified he provided these notecards to Almanaseer and certain other members of the
Planning Board to communicate Rezko’s directions about certain CON applications.”

 

“38. During his testimony, Levine described a plan to manipulate the Planning
Board to enrich himself and Friends of Blagojevich. The plan centered on an entity
commonly known as Mercy Hospital (“Mercy”) that was attempting to obtain a CON to build
a new hospital in Illinois. Levine knew the contractor hired to help build the hospital. In
approximately November 2003, on behalf of the contractor, Levine checked with Rezko to
determine whether Rezko wanted Mercy to obtain its CON. Rezko informed Levine that
Mercy was not going to receive its CON. According to Levine, he asked Rezko whether it
would matter to Rezko if Mercy’s construction contractor paid a bribe to Rezko and Levine
and, in addition, made a contribution to ROD BLAGOJEVICH. Levine testified that Rezko
indicated that such an arrangement would change his view on the Mercy CON.”
“39. Levine’s testimony regarding Rezko’s actions to change the Planning Board
decision concerning Mercy’s application for a CON based on contributions for ROD
BLAGOJEVICH is confirmed by attorney Steven Loren. Loren testified at Rezko’s criminal
trial and, before that, in the grand jury.11 According to Loren, in approximately December
2003, Levine informed Loren that Rezko was against the Mercy CON. According to Loren,
Levine relayed to Loren a conversation between Rezko and Levine during which Levine
asked Rezko whether a political contribution to ROD BLAGOJEVICH would make a
difference for Mercy’s CON, and Rezko responded to Levine that such a contribution might
make a difference.”
“40. Thereafter, and confirmed by the testimony of Levine, Beck, and Almanaseer,
as well as recorded conversations, Rezko switched his directions to Beck and informed Beck
that Mercy was to receive its CON. According to Almanaseer, although he previously had
been told by Beck that Rezko did not want Mercy to receive its CON, he was later told that
there had been a change and that Rezko now wanted Mercy to receive its CON.”
“41. Mercy received its CON as a result of a controversial and irregular vote at a
public Planning Board meeting.12 The vote brought significant publicity to the Planning
Board and ultimately led to the disbanding of the Planning Board. Almanaseer testified
under oath in the grand jury that not long after the Planning Board vote on Mercy’s CON he
saw Rezko at a fundraiser. According to Almanaseer, he was still embarrassed about what
had occurred at the Planning Board vote on Mercy’s CON and Rezko’s role in the vote.
Almanaseer testified that he asked Rezko why Rezko had switched the vote on the Mercy
CON. According to Almanaseer, Rezko stated: “The Governor wanted it to pass.”
Almanaseer understood the reference to “Governor” to be a reference to ROD
BLAGOJEVICH.”

Dr. Robert Weinstein connections

“54. Numerous conversations related to the extortion were captured on the courtauthorized
wiretaps on Levine’s phones. In particular, on a recorded May 1, 2004
conversation, Levine spoke with Dr. Robert Weinstein, a co-schemer in Levine’s criminal
activities. During the call, Levine told Weinstein about his more recent meeting with Rezko
and Kelly.”

Conclusion

There is much more evidence of corruption in the complaint and
ties to Obama. The exerpts provided above reveal clear ties to
Obama and in particular his involvement in rigging the IL
Health Board.

Request to Fitzgerald to indict Obama for rigging Health Board

Citizen Wells article in April 2008 ties Obama to Rezko, Blagojevich

Citizen Wells series on why Obama should be indicted

The Chicago Tribune, in an article dated December 18, 2008
states that the following ties to Blagojevich could help to
impeach him:

“Longtime Blagojevich friend Ali Ata, in a plea bargain on charges of lying to the FBI, said that he handed $25,000 to a Blagojevich fundraiser and that the governor immediately brought up the subject of getting Ata a state job.

In another guilty plea, Joseph Cari said Blagojevich tried to enlist him as a fundraiser with the possibility of getting state contracts and legal work.”

Reasons given for Blagojevich impeachment also apply to Obama

The investigation of Rod Blagojevich has been going on for
many months. Neither Blagojevich or Obama was charged with
wrongdoing during the Rezko Trial. I have watched the methodical
well orchestrated efforts of Patrick Fitzgerald all year and it
is now obvious that Obama is next.
Remember, the Obama Camp wants you to believe that the
Blagojevich arrest was just about selling the senate seat. Obama
et al are about lies, deception and diversions. This would give
him a chance to throw another associate under the bus

Obama must be indicted

Patrick Fitzgerald rushed the criminal complaint to prevent
Blagojevich from appointing a replacement for Obama’s Senate
seat. This was prompted by the Chicago Tribune breaking the
story.

Since Fitzgerald was obligated to arrest Blagojevich early
to avoid a travesty of justice, by the same token,
a greater sense of urgency involves allowing a non eligible
candidate, Obama, with ties to corruption that equal and in
some cases exceed those of Rod Blagojevich take office.
Because of this sense of urgency and potential constitutional
crisis, Citizen Wells is urging you to contact the Dept. of
Justice and voice your concerns. Also, share this article
with as many people and websites as possible. The election
officials and courts are ignoring this crisis. Perhaps
Patrick Fitzgerald or the Dept. of Jusctice (part of the
checks and balances syetem) will save this country from
a disaster.

Hold MSM accountable
 
This article will also serve as a starting point to hold the
MSM accountable and I have decided to start with two
prominent newspapers, The Chicago Tribune and Charlotte Observer.

I am asking that the Chicago Tribune and Charlotte Observer
apologize for unprofessional, irresponsible and biased reporting.

The Charlotte Observer, in a disservice to it’s readers
and what could be considered part of a conspiracy to perpetrate
fraud, presented only articles that were favorable to
Obama and did not present articles regarding Obama’s
eligibility issues and corruption ties. Not only did the
Observer not cover Obama, they endorsed him.

The chicago Tribune presented transcripts of the Rezko trial
and even some articles critical of Obama and his ties to
corruption. However, the Tribune, despite exposing some of
Obama’s corruption ties, still endorsed him. Also, the
Tribune broke the story on Blagojevich which led to his
premature arrest. What were the reasons for the Tribune
doing this? To protect the paper or citizens from
Blagojecvich or to prevent the Obama camp from being
implicated in more corruption ties?

Readership is down for most newspapers across the country.
Younger people are not embracing outdated news delivery
and older people are fed up with biased reporting.

Attention Tribune, Observer and newspapers throughout
the country.

Apologize to your readers, the American public and
change your methodology fast or you are history.

Coming soon.

We plan to hold congressmen accountable.

Obama arrested next?, Obama indictment?, Patrick Fitzgerald, December 18, 2008, Rezko connections, Pay for Play, FBI, Rezko Blagojevich investigations, Lobbyists, Poker, Davis Miner Barnhill & Galland, Rezko deals slums

Why Barack Obama should be indicted

Part 8

One or more of the following events should happen:

  • Obama steps down.
  • Obama is forced to prove eligibility.
  • Obama is indicted and/or arrested.

If one of the above does not occur within a few months,
perhaps we should look to the Declaration of Independence
or Thomas Jefferson, for our next strategy.

 

Many great writers such as Evelyn Pringle and many bloggers and
websites have attempted to reveal the truth about Barack Obama by
early 2008 and in some cases past years. Very little coverage about Obama
has made it to the MSM except for the articles in the Chicago Tribune,
Sun-Times and a few other papers. Fox News has been the only major
TV outlet to attempt to uncover the real Obama. Barack Obama has long
time ties to crime and corruption in Chicago and Illinois. His guilt
and ties are every bit as strong as recently arrested Rod Blagojevich.

The Citizen Wells blog will be revisiting older news stories about Obama
and presenting them in the new light of Chicago corruption that is before
the public as a result of the Tony Rezko trial and Blagojevich
investigation and prosecution. After reading a few of the articles the
following will be clear.

One or more of the following events should happen:

  • Obama steps down.
  • Obama is forced to prove eligibility.
  • Obama is indicted and/or arrested.

If one of the above does not occur within a few months, perhaps we
should look to the Declaration of Independence or Thomas Jefferson,
for our next strategy.

 
The following is from an article written by looseheadprop on February 6,
2008. As you read the article, consider this biographical description
provided by looseheadprop ( a Democrat ):

“About Me:
In rugby, the loosheadprop is the player in the front row of the scrum, who has the ability to collapse the scrum, pretty much at will and without the referee knowing who did it. While this can give the LHP’s team a great tactical advantage, it also exposes scrum players from both teams to the dangers of catastrophic spinal cord injury. Consequently, playing this position makes you understand your responsibility to put doing the right thing ahead of winning, and to think beyond your own wants and desires. It also makes you very law and order oriented. I am a former federal prosecutor who also served at other levels of government, both in civil and criminal law, including as Counsel to an Inspector General. These days, I’m a a soccer mom and a partner in a small law practice with a buddy of mine from the US Attorney’s Office.”

Article

“I have long been an admirer of Ms. Kennedy’s and I think she has point. Problem is, Obama has a Tony Rezko problem. Actually a whole bunch of Tony Rezko problems. And a few other problems here and there which do not say very good things about his character or his sense of ethics or his ability to spot the appearance of impropriety. I include on that list the recent revelations about the legislation which he claims to have “passed” relating to leakage of nuclear material into drinking water.

REZKO

When Obama became president of the Harvard Law Review, Rezko interviewed him for a job working for one of Rezko’s companies. Obama turned down the job, but instead accepted more indirect employment at the law firm representing a series of Rezko’s not-for-profit partners in the series of transactions to build and rehab low income housing that are now the subject of federal indictment in Chicago which US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald described as “pay to play on steroids.”

Obama was an attorney with a small Chicago law firm — Davis Miner Barnhill & Galland — that helped Rezmar get more than $43 million in government funding to rehab 15 of their 30 apartment buildings for the poor.

Resko got millions of dollars to build and rehab low income housing and according to the government, embezzled the money. The people in those houses had no heat, no water. They lived in squalor–many in Obama’s State senate district. You could assume constituent complaints would have come in and Obama’s law firm did the legal work for those government contracts and grants. Yet he denies knowing about it.”

“Barack Obama, for his part, went to Rezko for “advice” about how to buy a house he cannot afford and “poof” Rezko’s wife pays full price for a portion of the property and Obama gets a discount on the house. A while later, he bought back 1/6 of the lot from her for 1/6 of the price she paid for it. How is that different from an interest free loan equal to the amount paid for that 1/6 of the lot? According to MyDD, Obama pays for the landscaping of the Rezko lot and may have been using it to park his cars because his neighborhood does not allow on street parking, in which case how is this different from rent free occupancy of the land?”

“One of the things that came out about Abramoff et al. was that they would invite Congress critters to play poker and wine and dine in a hotel suite that the lobbyist paid for, and then let them win. It was a way of passing money to them without leaving a paper trail. The Chicago events were hosted at the HQ of a lobbying organization, I think it’s fair to assume that the cocktails and Cohibas were provided by the hosts and the article makes a point of saying that he was a stingy better and a cautious player–directly suggesting that he seldom lost. And what kind of message are you sending joking about the game being a “Committee Meeting”?

One of the reasons public corruption cases, at least the bribery part, are often so hard to prove is that the participants go to great lengths to have a “beard” for the transactions. Paying for vacations, losing at poker, doing repairs on the elected’s house without any invoices, throwing business to the elected’s (or their relative’s) law firms or companies, regularly taking the elected out for very expensive meals is known as soft bribery. In the Bess Meyerson case, which the government lost, the bribe was a job for the judge’s otherwise unemployable daughter.

Unless someone flips and gives you testimony, or unless, as in Operation Greylord, you have audio or video tapes, it’s really really hard to get a conviction because there usually is not much of a paper trail. Since there wouldn’t even be hotel records for the Chicago games, they are particulary fuzzy.”

“As a state senator, Barack Obama wrote letters to city and state officials supporting his political patron Tony Rezko’s successful bid to get more than $14 million from taxpayers to build apartments for senior citizens.

In that deal Rezko paid only $1 for the land. The rest of the deal, which included an $800,000 development fee paid to Rezko’s company, was entirely financed by public money.”

“Was it simply enough that Obama didn’t make waves about the lack of heat and deplorable conditions in the Rezko buildings situated within Obama’s state senate district? I don’t know. But I was struck by a comment Obama made in the debate on of the debates to the effect of “you know how Illinois politics are” or some such. Followed later on by

Nobody’s hands are perfectly clean in politics. That is true. I mean, there a distinction, though, between not taking PAC and federal lobbyist money and having that as a major way of driving your campaign and having some ancillary involvement.”

Comments below the article

“looseheadprop February 6th, 2008 at 4:57 pm 40
In response to Siun @ 13
Sorry Siun, maybe I just assumed eveybody would get the Abramoff reference. It’s not a leap at all.

Abramoff as you may recall did his bribery often in subtle ways, He took his “friends” on all expense paid luxury vacations/ he took his “golfing buddies” to play at St. Andrews, on him, er, his clients

He and other lobbyists would rent out hotel suites and with free flowing liquor and food, “lose” at poker to people from Capitol Hill.

The “Committee Meetings” seem even more brazen in that they took place in the actual building of a lobbying organization and because of the name.”
“looseheadprop February 6th, 2008 at 5:06 pm 62
In response to Siun @ 18
As much as the house deal troubles me-and folks you really DO want to click through to the MyDD piece. It’s obvious a lot of research hours went into it–the “committee Meetings” disturb me even more.

Rezko is just one bad guy. The Committee Meeting has all sorts of potenial. It’s an instinctive reaction, not per se based on fact. But if I were still a public corruption investigator I would want to know a lot more about those poker games.”

“looseheadprop February 6th, 2008 at 5:21 pm 87
In response to martha @ 51
Yes, the house deal looks bad, but the rest is quite circumstantial. Friendship with slumlord = crook.

I know slumlords. Am I a crook?

I never said friendship with a slumlord = crook. Don’t put a strawman argument in my mouth. I said that Obama is telling us to ignore the fact that he doesn’t have much of record to run on or much experience and instead to trust in his character.

That was the thrust of Caroline Kennedy’s argument on his behalf, ignore the other stuff and concentrate on his judgement and character.

Opposing the war and opposing land mines are examples of good judgement on his part.

Voting to fund the war, voting present during votes relating to a woman’s right to choose, hanging out at poker games in a lobbyist’s stronghold while imbibing the lobbyists’ liquor and cigars, APPROACHING a guy already publicly known to be under federal investigation for fraud and asking that guy for help in buying a house you cannot afford–and then accepting the equivalent of both an interest free loan and a rent free use of the the property the guy bought to help you out with your PERSONAL FINANCIAL transaction?

Examples of bad judgment and lack of character”

” looseheadprop February 6th, 2008 at 5:38 pm 123
In response to JoeBuck @ 73
I was trying to rebut paragraph by paragraph but the site keeps hanging up for me. And I am falling WAYY behind in reading the subsequent comments.
I stand behind my belief that someone as bright as Obama HAD TO KNOW how bad those poker games looked. There is a phrase used in government ethics (and until recently I sat as a voting member on a government ethics commsion) there is an actual legal standard called

“Appearance of impropriety”

The mere fact of these games, and their cheeky nickname “committee meetings” (committe of what? to do what?) certainly meets that standard.”

“looseheadprop February 6th, 2008 at 5:44 pm 137
In response to Scarecrow @ 92
Actually all I am trying to do, is get this stuff out now, on Dem terms.

Christy mentioned it above, it is trial tactics 101: Whatever problems your witness has, the jury better hear it from your side before the other side can play gotcha.

Obama would be a fool to think that the Rovians won’t go after him with this yet he has done virtually nothing to innoculate against it”
“looseheadprop February 6th, 2008 at 6:14 pm 187
In response to martha @ 141
If you mean why did Obama go to work for a firm that he was clearly overqualified for? This firm has had a spotty ethical history (one of the law firm’s partners left to become a partner of Rezko’s)

It’s not like he was doing something altruistic by joining this firm. It’s not like he went to work for the SCLU or Legal Aid.

I don’t think it equates with your not-for-profit service. BTW, Brava”

“looseheadprop February 7th, 2008 at 4:07 am 290
In response to Siun @ 214
The partner began working in Land develpoment with Rezko while the firm was still reprsenting the not for profits in the land deals –a clear conflict of interest, which is why the partner had to leave.

That kind of conlfict of interst is a violation of legal ethics which in most states (and I believe in Illinois) is written in law. So yeah, that’s an example of spotty ethical history”

“looseheadprop February 7th, 2008 at 8:09 am 326
In response to CasualObserver @ 300
LHP, by the quote above, I take it that you wrote this piece to actually protect Obama in a sense? In other words, knowing how rough things will get, you want to air this out now.

And not the alternative context, which would be that you support Hillary Clinton, and have written this piece in order to assist her campaign

I am not trying to protect Obama or Hillary per se. I am trying to prevent the election of a GOP candidate in November”

“looseheadprop February 7th, 2008 at 10:24 am 362
In response to Flavius @ 353
Thanks. I’m not sure why you think the voting “present” isn’t an example of not great character. It’s not henious, but it’s not admirable either.

The law firm’s actions, I do find very troubling. And I’m not sure we know the whole story about the firm and these not for profits, which apparently didn’t exist until Obama incorporated them. Where they incorporated soley to partner up with Rezko? And if they were actual functioning independant groups, how is it that they all coincidently went to the same law firm?

And yes, a partenr becoming involved with Rezko’s underlying business while still at the firm, is a clear conflict of interest.

So, I think sleazy –which does not = violation of law, but does connote suspect practices is prabably the right word”

Read more here:

http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/06/nobodys-hands-are-perfectly-clean-in-politics/

Consider the following:

Obama’s role in rigging the IL Health Board

Obama next?, Obama to be indicted?, Patrick Fitzgerald, December 15, 2008, Rezko kickback, Rezko real estate deal, Pay for Play, Kenneth J. Conner fired by bank, FBI, Land appraisals, Jerome Corsi article

Why Barack Obama should be indicted

Part 5

One or more of the following events should happen:

  • Obama steps down.
  • Obama is forced to prove eligibility.
  • Obama is indicted and/or arrested.

If one of the above does not occur within a few months,
perhaps we should look to the Declaration of Independence
or Thomas Jefferson, for our next strategy.

 

fitzgerald
Just as Citizen Wells has predicted, Patrick Fitzgerald, the
federal prosecutor that led the investigation that indicted
Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine, Dr. Robert Weinstein and recently
arrested Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois, is on the trail
of Barack Obama. Obama has long time close ties to these chicago
and Illinois corruption figures and conspired with one or more
of them to rig the IL Health Planning Facilities Board when
Obama was a member of the IL senate.

Jerome corsi has written an article for World Net Daily, dated
December 15, 2008 that reveals Fitzgerald’s ongoing investigation
into Rezko ties and specifically Obama. Here are some exerpts:

“U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald
 
Since arresting Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has renewed interest in convicted fundraiser Tony Rezko’s part in the purchase of Barack Obama’s Chicago mansion, according to a former real estate analyst who says he was interviewed by the federal prosecutor in the past 10 days.

Kenneth J. Conner told WND he was interviewed by investigators from Fitzgerald’s office regarding the purchase of the Obama mansion and the adjacent vacant lot that Rezko’s wife, Rita, purchased simultaneously. As WND reported last week, Connor filed a civil complaint in October with the Illinois Circuit Court in Cook County alleging he was fired by Mutual Bank of Harvey, Ill., because he objected to land appraisals submitted on behalf of the Rezkos and the Obamas, with the complicity of the bank.

Connor previously confirmed to WND that he told the FBI, months ago, 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.

Connor said his lawyer, Glenn R. Gaffney, also has been interviewed by the FBI about the Rezko-Obama deal within the past 10 days.

Connor has disclosed that during the initial investigation he met with two FBI agents for approximately an hour and a half to discuss the Rezko-Obama home purchase.

“The entire deal amounted to a $125,000 payoff from Tony Rezko to Barack Obama,” Conner previously told WND.

He explained: “If in fact the entire deal was a payoff from Tony Rezko to Barack Obama, a payoff or kickback, use whatever word you like, then for the deal to work, what had to happen was that Rezko had to over-pay for the vacant lot by as much as possible, or by the desired amount of the payoff, in any event.” ”

Read more here:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/

April 7, 2008 article on Rezko, Blagojevich Obama

Obama’s role in rigging the IL Board