Category Archives: Stuart Levine

Obama 2000 tax return raises questions, Obama drug use left him more or less broke?, Obamas adjusted gross income over 240K, Obama Larry Sinclair Stuart Levine

Obama 2000 tax return raises questions, Obama drug use left him more or less broke?, Obamas adjusted gross income over 240K, Obama Larry Sinclair Stuart
Levine

“I spent the last two years of high school in a daze, locking away the questions that life seemed insistent on imposing. I kept playing basketball, attended
classed sparingly, drank beer heavily, and tried drugs enthusiastically.”…Barack Obama

“I had learned not to care. I blew a few smoke rings, remembering those years. Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it.”…Obama, “Dreams From My Father” 

“In both conversations with Obama for America and AKP Message & Media, I explained that on November 6, 1999, I had been introduced to Barack Obama by a friend and that Obama had, in fact, sold me an eight-ball of cocaine and had himself engaged in smoking crack cocaine in my limo on that date and again in my hotel room the following day.”…Larry Sinclair, “Barack Obama & Larry Sinclair Cocaine, Sex, Lies & Murder”

Where is the mainstream media on this?

Obama stated that he was “more or less broke” in 2000.

The Obamas had an adjusted gross income of over $ 240,000 in 2000.

Something doesn’t add up.

From the LA Times April 27, 2008.

“In his book “The Audacity of Hope,” Obama tells how his finances had deteriorated to such a point that his credit card was initially rejected when he tried to rent a car at the 2000 Democratic convention in Los Angeles. He said he had originally planned to dedicate that summer “to catching up on work at the law practice that I’d left unattended during the campaign (a neglect that had left me more or less broke).”

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-killerspin27apr27,0,7823065,full.story

2000 Tax Return.

http://www.barackobama.com/tax-returns/

Is this the reason?

Obama admitted drug use.

From ABC News May 25, 2012.

“Unlike Bill Clinton, Barack Obama never tried to say he didn’t inhale.

In his 1995 memoir “Dreams from My Father,” Obama writes about smoking pot almost like Dr. Seuss wrote about eating green eggs and ham. As a high school kid, Obama wrote, he would smoke “in a white classmate’s sparkling new van,” he would smoke “in the dorm room of some brother” and he would smoke “on the beach with a couple of Hawaiian kids.”

He would smoke it here and there. He would smoke it anywhere.

Now a soon-to-be published biography by David Maraniss entitled “Barack Obama: The Story” gives more detail on Obama’s pot-smoking days, complete with testimonials from young Barry Obama’s high school buddies, a group that went by the name “the Choom Gang.” Choom was slang for smoking marijuana.
Maraniss portrays the teenage Obama as not just a pot smoker, but a pot-smoking innovator.

“As a member of the Choom Gang,” Maraniss writes, “Barry Obama was known for starting a few pot-smoking trends.”

The first Obama-inspired trend: “Total Absorption” or “TA”.

“TA was the opposite of Bill Clinton’s claim that as a Rhodes scholar at Oxford he smoked dope but never inhaled,” explains Maraniss. Here’s how it worked:
If you exhaled prematurely when you were with the Choom Gang, “you were assessed a penalty and your turn was skipped the next time the joint came around.”

As one of Obama’s old high school buddies tells Maraniss: “Wasting good bud smoke was not tolerated.”

Another Obama innovation: “Roof Hits.”

“When they were chooming in a car all the windows had to be rolled up so no smoke blew out and went to waste; when the pot was gone, they tilted their heads
back and sucked in the last bit of smoke from the ceiling.”

Maraniss also says Obama was known for his “Interceptions”: “When a joint was making the rounds, he often elbowed his way in, out of turn, shouted
‘Intercepted!,’ and took an extra hit.””

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/obama-and-his-pot-smoking-choom-gang/

Obama has admitted to cocaine use as well.

“maybe a little blow when you could afford it.”

Larry Sinclair allegations.

From Citizen Wells May 21, 2008.

“I reported many weeks ago, after reading the allegations by Larry Sinclair that he and Obama used drugs and engaged in gay sex in November 1999, that Obama was absent from the Illinois Senate on November 4, 1999. We have proof that Larry Sinclair was in Chicago from November 3 to November 8, 1999. We now know that Obama was in Chicago on November 8, 1999. We also know that the Illinois Senate was not in session again until November 16, 1999.

Obama was in Chicago at least by November 8, 1999 to speak at Public Interest Law Week at Northwestern University School of Law. Obama was a speaker at the 12:00 Noon Keynote Address on Monday, November 8, 1999.

So now we know that both Larry Sinclair and Obama were in Chicago at the same time.

We have allegations from a former chef in Chicago of persistent rumors from the gay community in Chicago that Obama was on the down low.

We also have allegations from Reverend Manning that Obama and Jeremiah Wright are closet homosexuals. Reverend Manning states that he has solid proof.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/obama-cocaine-larry-sinclair-november-1999-gay-sex-obama-down-low-more-evidence/
Obama’s speech at the law school was not widely reported until 2008.

Stuart Levine did not give his testimony in the Rezko Trial until 2008.

Larry Sinclair first went public with his allegations in January 2008.

Was Obama one of the male buddies who partied with Stuart Levine?

From Citizen Wells May 11, 2010.

From the Tony Rezko Trial

Remember, the IL State Capital is Springfield.

”Tales of the ‘Purple Hotel’
March 31, 2008; 2:43 p.m.
Prosecutors have taken a turn from the track of the day’s testimony and are asking political fixer and prosecution star witness Stuart Levine again about his drug use, the first time they have done so since early in his testimony.
Levine has said he used a number of drugs in the 1980s and into 2004, including cocaine and crystal methamphetamine.
He said he would make cash withdrawals, give that money to five male friends and use drugs with them during hotel parties. Those parties took place in Springfield and Lincolnwood at a place Levine said he and his friends came to call “the Purple Hotel.””

“ Trail of receipts from the Purple Hotel
April 4, 2008; 10:55 a.m.
More tales of the Purple Hotel kicked off this morning’s session of the Antoin “Tony” Rezko corruption trial.
On Thursday, Rezko’s lawyer Joseph Duffy grilled prosecution star witness Stuart Levine about a $761 transaction on his credit card statement for Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, at the garish purple-painted Lincolnwood hotel that at the time was part of the Radisson chain. Levine has testified that he and a regular group of “drug buddies” often went to the hotel for daylong binges of crystal meth, cocaine, animal tranquilizers and other drugs.
The significance of that date is that it was the same that Rezko and Levine first met. The occasion was a dinner party, and during the chitchat Levine has said the two men came to realize they had been on opposite sides of a shady real estate deal.”

“This morning, Duffy questioned Levine about more charges he incurred at the Radisson. On Saturday, Oct. 26, exactly one week before the dinner party, Levine’s credit-card statement reflected a $1,077 charge at the Radisson, and exactly a week before that there was another $1021 charge there.
Duffy appears to be trying to suggest that Levine had a regular Saturday thing at the Radisson with his drug buddies. In earlier testimony, Levine said the group would get together and party once or twice a month at the Lincolnwood hotel, and always on weekdays. Levine said he tried to hide his secret drug life from his family and wanted to be home and clear-headed on the weekends.”

“And Judge St. Eve would not allow Levine to name names as to the identities of those present at the all-male parties involving drug use — parties attended by some of the city’s and state’s political powers-that-be as well as by those wanting favors.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/blagojevich-trial-obama-levine-ties-stuart-levine-must-testify-rezko-trial-politician-a-politician-b-springfield-il-illinois-capital-purple-hotel-drug-parties-obama-records/

From commenter  bob strauss at Citizen Wells this morning.

Was this photo taken at the White House?

WHITE OUT: Cocaine in the Obama White House?

Obama wheels of justice turn slow or stop, FDIC lawsuit against Amrish Majahan Mutual banck, Rezko loan for Obama lot, Kenneth J. Conner lawsuit

Obama wheels of justice turn slow or stop, FDIC lawsuit against Amrish Majahan Mutual banck, Rezko loan for Obama lot, Kenneth J. Conner lawsuit

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

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

“Why do the wheels of justice become mired or stopped when a case touches Obama?”…Citizen Wells

The wheels of justice turn very slowly when the case touches Obama. It some cases the wheels of justice stop, as in the case of the New Black Panther Party.

From Citizen Wells July 31, 2012.

“Federal Court finds Obama appointees interfered with New Black Panther prosecution”

“A federal court in Washington, DC, held last week that political appointees appointed by President Obama did interfere with the Department of Justice’s prosecution of the New Black Panther Party.

The ruling came as part of a motion by the conservative legal watch dog group Judicial Watch, who had sued the DOJ in federal court to enforce a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for documents pertaining to the the New Black Panthers case. Judicial Watch had secured many previously unavailable documents through their suit against DOJ and were now suing for attorneys’ fees.”

“The Court’s decision is another piece of evidence showing the Obama Justice Department is run by individuals who have a problem telling the truth,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. “The decision shows that we can’t trust the Obama Justice Department to fairly administer our nation’s voting and election laws.””
https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/07/31/no-justice-in-obama-justice-dept-new-black-panther-party-dismissal-judicial-watch-obama-appointees-interfered-with-new-black-panther-prosecution/

Rod Blagojevich is in prison and his appeal process may drag on for many many months. Blagojevich was arrested after the 2008 election.

Tony Rezko, the kingpin of Chicago corruption, is in prison and was never called as a witness.

Stuart Levine, who began cooperating with the feds in 2004 and who knows almost as much about Obama’s corruption ties as Rezko, was recently sentenced.

Patrick Fitzgerald aggressively and promptly prosecuted former Republican Governor George Ryan.

Mutual Bank loan to Rezko’s for Obama lot purchase.

From No Quarter USA October 12, 2008.

“”Because I tend to rely on evidence and not on hearsay, I believe we should focus our attention on Amrish Mahajan and the Mutual Bank of Harvey, not on Giannoulias and the Broadway Bank, if we are to assign names to the financial institution about which Sneed of the Chicago Sun-Timeshas heard “rumblings.” Although Mahajan is not known to readers ofNo Quarter and to the national media, I imagine they will desire more information on the unscrupulous banker once they read the information I unpack below the fold. And yes, Obama is involved, deeply involved.”

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

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

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

MAHAJAN, AMRISH
CHICAGO, IL 60607
MUTUAL BANK

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more:

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

Kenneth J. Conner questioned the appraisal of the lot and was subsequently fired.

From Citizen Wells November 1, 2011.

“Here is what we know about the purchase of a lot by Barack and Michelle Obama from Rita Rezko in 2006:

1. “In June, 2005, Mutual Bank President and CEO Amrish Mahajan and
other Mutual Bank officers approved a loan to Rita Malki Rezko (Rita
Rezko) which was guaranteed by Antonin Rezko so that Rita Rezko could
purchase a 9,090 square foot vacant parcel of real estate at 5050 S.
Greenwood Avenue, Chicago.” (Conner lawsuit)

2. “On or about January 4, 2006, Rita Rezko entered into an
agreement with Senator Barack and Michelle Obama (Obamas) to sell a
ten-foot strip of the 5050 S. Greenwood property to the Obamas.”
(Conner lawsuit)

3. “In late 2005 or early 2006, Conner performed an appraisal review
of the Adams Appraisal (Exhibit C) per the directive of Richard Barth
and James Murphy. Conner prepared a written Appraisal Review report
(ARR) opining that the Adams Appraisal overvalued the Greenwood lot by
a minimum of $ 125,000.00 and that a reasonable and fair valuation for
Mutual Banks’s underwriting purposes should be no greater than $
500,000.00 for the entire 5050 S. Greenwood parcel as originally
purchased by Rita Rezko.” (Conner lawsuit)

4. “On or about October 19, 2006, Mutual Bank received a Grand Jury
Subpoena (GJS) requiring Mutual Bank to produce the Rezko 5050
Greenwood loan file, as well as a Rita Rezko Riverside District
Development LLC checking account and loan file.” (Conner lawsuit)

5. “In October, 2007, Conner had various communications with Mutual
Bank’s Human Resources Department representative, Lana Schlabach. In
an email communication of October 15, 2007, Conner directly referenced
“Resentment over my mentioned discovery of the removal/replacement of
an appraisal review that I conducted. That appraisal review contained
substantial observations and suggestions. The transaction and parties
involved were high profile in the media.I am under the impression that
the FBI has since looked at the file.”” On October 23, 2007, eight days after Conner’s October 15, 2007 email to Schlabach attached as Exhibit J, Mutual Bank terminated Conner’s employment for pretextual reasons.” (Conner lawsuit)

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

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/fdic-mutual-bank-lawsuit-reveals-rezko-obama-corruption-kenneth-j-conner-lawsuit-amrish-mahajan-richard-barth-where-did-rezkos-get-the-money/

The Conner lawsuit is still active.

That is all I can comment on at this time.

https://w3.courtlink.lexisnexis.com/cookcounty/Finddock.asp?DocketKey=CAAI0L0ABBEHA0LD

The FDIC has filed a lawsuit against Mutual Bank, Amrish Mahajan, Richard Barth, et al.

From Citizen Wells October 31, 2011.

“The FDIC is suing eight former directors, two officers and the bank’s lawyer.

The failure of the $1.7 billion-asset bank, which had 10 branches in
the Chicago area, is expected to cost the FDIC $775 million. From 2005
to 2009, the lender had nearly doubled in size, fueled by what would
turn out to be bad real estate loans, many of which were made to about
15 borrowers. Record-keeping was shoddy, and loan terms were changed
at closing with no board approval, the suit said. Mutual had become a
“lender of last resort for failed real estate projects,” particularly
in the hotel industry, the suit said.

One of the defendants, former bank president and board member Amrish
Mahajan, couldn’t be reached for comment.”
“5. Collectively, the Director Defendants and Officer Defendants
(“Director and Officer Defendants”) (a) recklessly implemented a
strategy of rapid asset growth through approving a high concentration
of risky CRE, ADC and out-of-area loans to a small concentration of
high-volume borrowers; (b) failed to implement appropriate
underwriting and credit administration practices; (c) ignored the
Bank’s loan policies; (d) ignored federal lending regulations; and (e)
disregarded warnings from the Bank’s regulators regarding the Bank’s
lending activities.”

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

There was a status hearing on the FDIC lawsuit on July 19, 2012.

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/obama-land-deal-loan-president-mahajan-fdic-lawsuit-status-hearing-july-19-2012-judge-virginia-m-kendall-rezkos-sold-lot-to-obamas/

What is happening in this FDIC case that touches Obama?

The wheels of justice can turn slowly under normal circumstances. They appear to be mired in tar or stop completely when they touch Obama.

Stuart Levine death threat, Who benefits most from Levine death?, Who benefited most from death of Jones Young Lt. Harris Kelly Gwatney Breitbart?, Obama knowledge lethal

Stuart Levine death threat, Who benefits most from Levine death?, Who benefited most from death of Jones Young Lt. Harris Kelly Gwatney Breitbart?, Obama knowledge lethal

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Thomas said Rezko floated the names of several people to sit on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which the government claims Rezko corrupted with the help of board member Stuart Levine. And Thomas said Rezko at one point made it clear that he wanted to see Levine reappointed to the panel, which was being overhauled by the governor in 2003.”…Rezko trial March 11, 2008

“At Rod Blagojevich’s December sentencing Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar called Levine one of the most significant cooperators the Dirksen Federal Courthouse had ever seen.”…Natasha Korecki, Chicago SunTimes

Who benefited most from the suicide/murder of Orlando Jones?

Who benefited most from the murder of Donald Young?

Who benefited most from the murder of Lt. Quarles Harris Jr.?

Who benefited most from the suicide/murder of Christopher Kelly?

Who benefited most from the murder of Bill Gwatney?

Who benefited most from the death/murder of Andrew Breitbart?

Tony Rezko is in prison.

Rod Blagojevich is in prison.

Who would benefit most from Stuart Levine’s death?

Not sure?

Stuart Levine worked closely with Tony Rezko and they both had close associations with Barack Obama.

If you have not shared this video or wiretaps with your friends & associates, shame on you.

Stuart Levine sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison, Rezko Blagojevich Obama crony, Levine involved in massive corruption and drug use, Levine activity leads to Obama

Stuart Levine sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison, Rezko Blagojevich Obama crony, Levine involved in massive corruption and drug use, Levine activity leads to Obama

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Thomas said Rezko floated the names of several people to sit on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which the government claims Rezko corrupted with the help of board member Stuart Levine. And Thomas said Rezko at one point made it clear that he wanted to see Levine reappointed to the panel, which was being overhauled by the governor in 2003.”…Rezko trial March 11, 2008

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

“At Rod Blagojevich’s December sentencing Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar called Levine one of the most significant cooperators the Dirksen Federal Courthouse had ever seen.”…Natasha Korecki, Chicago SunTimes

From the Chicago Tribune July 20, 2012.

“Stuart Levine stood before a federal judge Thursday in an ill-fitting suit eight years after FBI agents knocked on his door with news that they had undercover recordings and other evidence of his massive criminal scheming with top Illinois officials.

His day of reckoning had finally come. Swinging in the balance was the chance for a significantly reduced 51/2-year prison sentence that his attorney and prosecutors had agreed on after his extensive cooperation helped unravel the corrupt Blagojevich administration.

U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve was left to reconcile how the former Republican fundraiser became one of the most significant government informants in Chicago’s sordid history of public corruption in part because he was also one of the most corrupt political insiders the city has known.

“You defrauded the good people of the state of Illinois. You stole from close friends. You stole from charities. The havoc that you wreaked is certainly substantial,” St. Eve declared. “You were certainly one of the most corrupt individuals this district has ever seen.”

Yet minutes later the judge imposed the 51/2-year prison term on Levine, saying she was convinced that he was not the same arrogant and egotistical defendant she met four years ago when he testified in her courtroom.

“I have thought long and hard,” she said. “And I don’t grant it lightly.”

Of the cast of characters to emerge in the government’s eight-year federal investigation, Levine was among the most infamous because of the sordid details that came out about his personal life.

Before his arrest, Levine appeared to the public to be a successful businessman living in a North Shore mansion who served on the boards of charities and key state agencies.

But behind the scenes he was using the access and influence he had amassed to steal from a long list of victims. He teamed up in kickback schemes with some of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s top advisers, squeezing millions of dollars from people seeking to do business with the state. And he stole $2 million from the estate of a close friend.

The total take in his illegal schemes would have been more than $20 million if he had gotten away with them.

And all the while, Levine also was living a secret life fueled by the abuse of cocaine and other narcotics. He hosted 24-hour drug binges at the former Purple Hotel in Lincolnwood.

Levine, who pleaded guilty in 2006 to one count each of mail fraud and money laundering, testified about it all at the trials of Blagojevich adviser Antoin “Tony” Rezko and Springfield power broker William Cellini. As a government witness, he explained to juries how pay-to-play worked in Illinois.

On Wednesday, prosecutors called Levine’s testimony essential to securing convictions not only on Rezko and Cellini but also on former Chicago Ald. Edward Vrdolyak; Dr. Robert Weinstein, Levine’s longtime business partner; and the biggest catch of all — Blagojevich.

“All of these people could not have been convicted” without Levine’s assistance, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Niewoehner assured the judge. “It is really a hall of fame of public corruption.”

Niewoehner argued for leniency also because it could send a strong message that “honorable” cooperation can pay off.

“There will come a day when another Stuart Levine is confronted by the FBI,” he said.

His sentencing Thursday marked the first time that Levine publicly addressed his extensive crimes in his own words and not in answer to questions from prosecutors. In brief remarks he expressed regret and remorse to the people of Illinois, to the various boards and charities he served on and to the friends he hurt.

He broke down when he addressed his adult children, who have stood by him.

“I deeply regret the crisis and difficulty I caused my own dear children,” he said. “I thank them for their continued love, which has sustained me.”

In the eight years since he was arrested, Levine has traded the North Shore mansion for a small apartment. He has had to borrow money for groceries and hit three-for-one sales for suits.

His wife served him with divorce papers during the Rezko trial. While he was cooperating with the government, a threat was made against Levine, forcing federal authorities to investigate. Levine also contemplated suicide.

In arguing for leniency, Levine’s attorney, Jeffrey Steinback, pointed to all those consequences. He also pledged that his client has embraced a new life.

“He prays every day,” Steinback said. “Nor for leniency but for forgiveness and redemption and the ability to be compassionate and think of others first.”

Levine is scheduled to surrender to prison Sept. 27.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-stuart-levine-sentencing-0720-20120720,0,2034921.story

From above:

“and the biggest catch of all — Blagojevich.”

That is incorrect.

The biggest catch is Barack Obama.

Stuart Levine sentencing July 19, 2012, Obama corruption buddy and drug user, Key witness Rezko trial, Long time associations with Rezko and Obama

Stuart Levine sentencing July 19, 2012, Obama corruption buddy and drug user, Key witness Rezko trial, Long time associations with Rezko and Obama

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

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

“At Rod Blagojevich’s December sentencing Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar called Levine one of the most significant cooperators the Dirksen Federal Courthouse had ever seen.”…Natasha Korecki, Chicago SunTimes

Will Stuart Levine actually be sentenced today?

Stuart Levine, corruption buddy of Tony Rezko, Rod Blagojevich and Barack Obama is scheduled for sentencing today,  Thursday, July 19, 2012.

Daily Calendar

Thursday, July 19, 2012 (As of 07/19/12 at 05:48:25 AM)

Honorable Amy J. St. Eve                    Courtroom 1241 (ASE)

1:05-cr-00691 USA v. Levine 10:15 Sentencing

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

From Citizen Wells June 22, 2012.

“Prosecutors: Levine among ‘most valuable’ witnesses in 3 decades”

“Prosecutors called their key witness against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and two top advisers “one of the most valuable cooperators” in three decades of public-corruption prosecutions in a late-Friday filing arguing for a light sentence.

Stuart Levine could have faced life in prison under federal sentencing guidelines but prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 5 years and 7 months in exchange for Levine’s cooperation. Friday’s filing comes after U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve, during a hearing in April, asked for a “lengthy recitation of Levine’s cooperation.”

Levine didn’t testify against Blagojevich, but prosecutors noted “the case against Blagojevich was made possible only by Levine’s cooperation.”

“The government not only used information provided initially by Levine in the case against Blagojevich, it was Levine’s decision to cooperate that set in motion the series of events that led directly to the government obtaining the evidence and witnesses it needed to prosecute Blagojevich,” prosecutors wrote.

Friday’s filing, in advance of Levine’s June 28 sentencing, recognizes both Levine’s cooperation and his extensive criminal history.

Levine testified against former Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who is now in federal prison, and was the star witness against Springfield power broker, William Cellini, who is awaiting sentencing. During his testimony at Cellini’s trial, Levine described in detail the million-dollar bribes he tried to orchestrate and told of his extensive drug use and cocaine parties he attended.

“Levine’s cooperation has proven to be every bit as important as the government hoped it would be. As a result of (his) assistance, the government charged and convicted people of extremely serious crimes who otherwise would not have been caught.””

“Federal prosecutors have lauded Stuart Levine as a great, cooperative witness. Why then did they not prosecute Blagojevich first to protect the citizens of Illinois and then wait until after the 2008 election to arrest him?

Couple the value given to Levine by the prosecutors with the timeline. There is only one logical conclusion to come to. The prosecution of Rod Blagojevich was delayed to protect Barack Obama.”

“2006 is the pivotal turning point.

1. Blagojevich and his corruption buddies are in trouble.

2. Blagojevich, the presumptive presidential candidate, is out and Obama, the unknown, is in. So is the fix.

Rod Blagojevich was elected governor of Illinois in 2002.

From the Blagojevich Criminal Complaint.

“Since approximately 2003, the government has been investigating allegations
of illegal activity occurring in State of Illinois government as part of the administration of Governor ROD BLAGOJEVICH. As further detailed below, the investigation has developed evidence that: (a) beginning not later than in or about 2002, ROD BLAGOJEVICH has conspired with multiple individuals”
From the Washington Post December 22, 2008.

“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.”

“June 7, 2004: Stuart Levine, a longtime Republican reappointed to the powerful Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, abruptly resigns on the eve of several important hospital expansion votes. The revelation is the first indication that the Blagojevich administration is under federal criminal investigation.

June 27, 2004: The Tribune discloses that an official for one hospital seeking permission to expand was wearing a federal bug during meetings in an effort to expose extortion attempts by Levine and others for contributions to Blagojevich.

July 2, 2004: Levine resigns from his seat on the board of the state Teachers’ Retirement System. It remains undisclosed that federal authorities had secretly taped Levine’s conversations.

May 9, 2005: Levine is indicted on corruption charges. Federal subpoenas are issued to numerous administration sources, including top Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko”

“Aug. 5, 2006: The Tribune reports that Levine is cooperating with the federal investigation of state government.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/stuart-levine-sentencing-june-28-2011-rezko-blagojevich-obama-crony-levine-among-most-valuable-witnesses-in-3-decades-blagojevich-arrest-delayed/

William Cellini motion for sentencing delay July 18, 2012, Obama corruption crony, Judge James B. Zagel, Teachers Retirement System kickbacks

William Cellini motion for sentencing delay July 18, 2012, Obama corruption crony, Judge James B. Zagel, Teachers Retirement System kickbacks

“Why was Obama promoting Capri Capital and other investment firms at the same time that Rezko, Levine and Cellini were shaking them down?”…Citizen Wells

“The citizens of Illinois deserve public officials who act solely in the public’s interest, without putting a price tag on government appointments, contracts and decisions.”…Patrick Fitzgerald

“There is enough corruption in Illinois so that all it takes is someone who is serious about finding it to uncover it. If a U.S. attorney is not finding corruption in Illinois, they’re not seriously looking for it.”…Northwestern Law Professor James Lindgren

William Cellini, who was convicted of 2 counts of conspiracy to commit extortion and aiding and abetting the solicitation of a bribe on November 1, 2011,  will request a sentencing delay today, July 18, 2012 in the courtroom of Judge James Zagel. Cellini recently suffered a heart attack.

Daily Calendar

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 (As of 07/18/12 at 08:47:10 AM)

Honorable James B. Zagel                    Courtroom 2503 (JBZ)

1:08-cr-00888   USA v. Cellini                         10:15   Notice of Motion

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

From Citizen Wells January 5, 2012.

“Following Obama’s efforts, the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System gave Ariel Capital $112.5 million to manage, and added hundreds of millions more over the next few years.”

“Three other minority-run firms — Holland Capital, Loop Capital and Capri Capital Partners — also saw hundreds of millions of assets turned over to them to manage after meeting with Obama and the state pension boards.”

“Capri Capital is a little more interesting.

From the William Cellini Indictment Press Release:”
“Cellini’s alleged crimes – essentially conspiring with others to force Capri Capital, also a real estate investment firm, and Thomas Rosenberg, a principal and part owner of Capri, to raise or donate substantial political contributions for Public Official A – were the subject of testimony earlier this year at the trial of alleged co-conspirator Antoin “Tony” Rezko. Cellini was charged with conspiring with Rezko, former TRS trustee Stuart Levine, the pension fund’s outside lawyer Steven Loren and others between the spring of 2003 and the summer of 2005 to defraud TRS beneficiaries and the people of Illinois of Levine’s honest services as a TRS trustee. TRS, a public pension plan for teachers and administrators in public schools statewide except in Chicago, serves hundreds of thousands of members and beneficiaries and has assets in excess of $30 billion.”

“March 6, 2008”

“Prosecutor Carrie Hamilton talks about how Highland Park businessman
Stuart Levine is central to the government case “

“She also explains how William Cellini, a powerful Republican power
broker, was also allegedly central to many of the alleged kickback
schemes at the Teacher’s Retirement System.
Hamilton finished remarks after an hour. She did not mention the name
of Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, whose U.S. Senate
campaign in 2004 allegedly was the beneficiary of $20,000 in campaign
cash from intermediaries in the kickback schemes the government says
were orchestrated by Rezko.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/january-6-2012-obama-corruption-ties-william-cellini-hearing-judge-james-zagel-media-and-justice-department-protect-obama/

 

Patrick Fitzgerald leaves office, Media portrays Fitzgerald as fearless crime fighter, Patrick Fitzgerald protected Obama delayed Blagojevich prosecution

Patrick Fitzgerald leaves office, Media portrays Fitzgerald as fearless crime fighter, Patrick Fitzgerald protected Obama delayed Blagojevich prosecution

“Patrick Fitzgerald’s office knew from an informant and wiretaps beginning in December of 2003 that there was corruption in Blagojevich’s administration. The Chicago Tribune on October 25, 2005 reported about a federal grand jury investigation of the Blagojevich administration. The Chicago Tribune on August 5, 2006 reported that Stuart Levine was cooperating with the federal investigation. Stuart Levine was the key witness in Operation Board Games.

Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?

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

“Patrick Fitzgerald stated after the Blagojevich arrest: ‘I was not going to wait until March or April or May to get it all nice and tidy’

‘I think that would be irresponsible.’

Fitzgerald did wait to arrest Blagojevich and there are other words to describe his actions. Criminal, conspiracy and Chicago pay to play.”…Citizen Wells

“Antoin Rezko, …recently received a sentence of 126 months’ imprisonment for corrupt activity that he engaged in directly with Blagojevich or with  Blagojevich’s tacit approval. Yet, Rezko: (a) held no elected office of trust;”…Patrick Fitzgerald’s Government Sentencing Memorandum

“The people in power,the first thing they have to do,they have to get control of the media.The perfect example was my case.The main person that I attempted to give information on,the person who was in charge of a lot of things the person who was able to pick all the judges,was one of my main targets.While he also happens to be the same person who’s able to give out all the money ,in the city, he’s Chairman of Finance Committee in Chicago.He was able to hire the U.S. Attorney who was supposed to prosecute him,pay him huge sums of money and he never got prosecuted.There was no explanation as to why he didn’t .He just was not prosecuted.To this day he continues there in that same position where he’s able to pick all the judges,he’s Chairman of the Democratic Judicial Slating Committee.He picks all the judges in Chicago.After I reported what I did and it was out there,that he was fixing murder cases and molesting cases, himself and his wife.His wife afterwards was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court where she sits today.When she ran for re-election nobody dared oppose her.I mean that’s the basic problem with Chicago and why Chicago will not change,because the people in charge are the most powerful people,have the media in their pockets.”…FBI Informant and attorney Robert Cooley

With all of the attention on the Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare, the sad state of the economy and the 2012 elections, Patrick Fitzgerald left his post with the US Justice Department with glowing remarks from the mainstream media.

From the Chicago SunTimes June 29, 2012.

“After 11 years as U.S. attorney in Chicago, Fitzgerald steps aside”

“The relentless U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois ended his 11-year run as Chicago’s top federal prosecutor Friday, retiring from an office that brought countless criminals to justice.

“I think his legacy will be that he raised the bar of what it means to be a U.S. Attorney in Chicago. It’s a great office with a great history. Pat came from outside and over 10 years built upon that history to leave the office better than he found it,” said Zachary Fardon, who prosecuted former Gov. George Ryan under Fitzgerald and now is a defense lawyer.

“He did that through hard work, but most important was his purity of intentions, the earnestness of his convictions, and his kindness of heart, all of which motivated everyone around him to be better. That’s hard to act to follow.”

The end of Fitzgerald’s run was a sprint to the finish.

On Thursday, his office announced a significant public corruption investigation against two former elected officials — Joseph Mario Moreno and Ambrosio Medrano.

Last week, the FBI arrested Raghuveer Nayak, a political fund-raiser who was a key figure in the Rod Blagojevich corruption case as well as a man close to U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.”

“Under Fitzgerald’s tenure, the state saw the dismantling of the power structures beneath two governors and then the convictions of the governors themselves — Ryan, a Republican, and Blagojevich, a Democrat.”

 
Oh really?
 
I began smelling a rat in 2008 before the election and when Fitzgerald waited until after the election, in December 2008, to  arrest Rod Blagojevich, the stench became overwhelming.
 
From Citizen Wells June 22, 2012.
 

“From the Blagojevich Criminal Complaint.

Since approximately 2003, the government has been investigating allegations
of illegal activity occurring in State of Illinois government as part of the administration of Governor ROD BLAGOJEVICH. As further detailed below, the investigation has developed evidence that: (a) beginning not later than in or about 2002, ROD BLAGOJEVICH has conspired with multiple individuals”
From the Washington Post December 22, 2008.

“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.””

 
From American Thinker February 29, 2012.
 
“Some ‘Splainin’ to do in Chicago”
 

“On February 27, a Chicagoland website, Illinois PayToPlay, cited the star witness in the Operation Gambit trials of the early ’90s, Robert Cooley, as a primary source for the news that Daniel Frawley says he gave $400,000 in cash to Tony Rezko, who then passed it on to Barack Obama.

In case you missed Cooley’s story, James Peterson, writing for Andrew Breitbart’s Big Journalism, noted that “[i]n the mid-1980’s, Chicago Outfit Lawyer Robert Cooley voluntarily went undercover for the FBI as part of an investigation called Operation Gambat. Cooley wore a wire on, among others, [Alderman Ed] Burke’s good friend and made-man, Alderman Fred Roti. The Chief Judge of Cook County’s Chancery Court and an Assistant Senate Majority Leader of the Illinois State Senate were also targeted. Cooley’s work eventually led to the only judge in U.S. history being convicted of fixing a murder trial.”
Cooley is a Chicago legend.

As the star witness for the prosecution back then, Cooley’s credibility was validated by 26 convictions. Now, Cooley is back on the Chicago scene along with news that leaves a number of current, and former, Chicagoans with some splainin’ to do. Among the short list are these persons of interest.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald: It requires what one well-known politician once called “the willing suspension of disbelief” to think that the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) was unaware of this allegation by Frawley. Did Fitzgerald’s staff investigate it? Or did this fall into the “Wired for Silence: Fitzgerald’s Rezko Watchers” arrangement, recently suggested in the Chicago Daily Observer, where three key moles close to Rezko never testified in Rezko’s trial, nor were any conversations they taped made public?

Chicago Sun-Times: A July 11, 2011 Times article stated that, “Details about Frawley’s cooperation with the U.S. attorney’s office, the FBI and the Illinois attorney general’s office can be gleaned from a 65-page court deposition he gave seven months ago in a legal-malpractice lawsuit that he filed against his former longtime lawyer, George Weaver. In the lawsuit, Frawley accuses Weaver of having overbilled him and telling him to ‘withhold certain information from the government’ when he was cooperating with authorities.”

What “certain information?” Did the Sun-Times aggressively pursue an answer to that question, or merely “glean”?

That 65-page deposition was executed on December 1, 2010 — but hold that thought.

Attorney Daniel F. Konicek: He represented Frawley’s former lawyer, George Weaver, in the deposition. The Times highlighted the following exchange between Konicek and Frawley: “Later in the deposition, Weaver’s lawyer, Daniel F. Konicek, asks Frawley about what specific information Weaver is supposed to have told Frawley to withhold from federal authorities. ‘I’m assuming the information is about the payments made by Rezko to Obama, so we know we’re talking about the right conversation, right?’ Konicek asks Frawley. Frawley doesn’t answer. So Konicek presses him: ‘Am I correct it was about Obama being paid by Rezko?’ Frawley replies: ‘I’m not answering that question, based upon my attorney’s instructions.'”

Where did that question come from? Konicek? Weaver? Did Konicek expect Frawley to answer?

Makes you wonder: was the whole deposition a kabuki dance intended to send a message to the USAO, and others, that Frawley knows some things, and might tell them to the world if he gets jammed up by the feds?

Back to Patrick Fitzgerald: Not two months after the December 2010 deposition, Frawley was hit with a bank fraud charge that was past the statute of limitations. Coincidence?

Or was it payback for filing the Weaver lawsuit, and a warning to Frawley that he’d better keep his mouth shut about the $400,000…and who knows what else? (Like maybe something about Companion Security?)”

“Chicago Big Media: Why did it take an obscure website to break this story when the Sun-Times has those three-musketeer journalists they call the WATCHDOGS?

And when the Trib has equally dogged sleuths like John Kass and John Chase?

Did either paper have knowledge concerning what Illinois Pay To Play reported and decide to sit on the information?

Thanks to the legendary Bob Cooley, yet again, some current and former Chicagoans got some ‘splainin’ to do. But, what we’ll most likely hear instead is the sound of crickets.”
Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/02/some_splainin_to_do_in_chicago.html#ixzz20Aeedyxi

Patrick Fitzgerald.

 
Pawn,  idiot or corrupt?”
 
I believe that Fitzgerald is at least 2 of the above.
 
 
 

Stuart Levine sentencing June 28, 2011, Rezko Blagojevich Obama crony, Levine among most valuable witnesses in 3 decades, Blagojevich arrest delayed

Stuart Levine sentencing June 28, 2011, Rezko Blagojevich Obama crony, Levine among most valuable witnesses in 3 decades, Blagojevich arrest delayed

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald, instead of protecting the citizens of Illinois as he has touted, prosecute Tony Rezko first, a businessman, instead of Rod Blagojevich, the governor of Illinois.”…Citizen Wells

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

“At Rod Blagojevich’s December sentencing Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar called Levine one of the most significant cooperators the Dirksen Federal Courthouse had ever seen.”…Natasha Korecki, Chicago SunTimes

Stuart Levine, corruption buddy of Tony Rezko, Rod Blagojevich and Barack Obama is finally being sentenced on Thursday, June 28, 2012.

Daily Calendar

Thursday, June 28, 2012 (As of 06/22/12 at 01:48:43 PM)

Honorable Amy J. St. Eve                    Courtroom 1241 (ASE)

1:05-cr-00691   USA v. Levine                          10:00   Sentencing

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

From the Chicago Tribune June 16, 2012.

“Prosecutors: Levine among ‘most valuable’ witnesses in 3 decades”

“Prosecutors called their key witness against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and two top advisers “one of the most valuable cooperators” in three decades of public-corruption prosecutions in a late-Friday filing arguing for a light sentence.

Stuart Levine could have faced life in prison under federal sentencing guidelines but prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of 5 years and 7 months in exchange for Levine’s cooperation. Friday’s filing comes after U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve, during a hearing in April, asked for a “lengthy recitation of Levine’s cooperation.”

Levine didn’t testify against Blagojevich, but prosecutors noted “the case against Blagojevich was made possible only by Levine’s cooperation.”

“The government not only used information provided initially by Levine in the case against Blagojevich, it was Levine’s decision to cooperate that set in motion the series of events that led directly to the government obtaining the evidence and witnesses it needed to prosecute Blagojevich,” prosecutors wrote.

Friday’s filing, in advance of Levine’s June 28 sentencing, recognizes both Levine’s cooperation and his extensive criminal history.

Levine testified against former Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who is now in federal prison, and was the star witness against Springfield power broker, William Cellini, who is awaiting sentencing. During his testimony at Cellini’s trial, Levine described in detail the million-dollar bribes he tried to orchestrate and told of his extensive drug use and cocaine parties he attended.

“Levine’s cooperation has proven to be every bit as important as the government hoped it would be. As a result of (his) assistance, the government charged and convicted people of extremely serious crimes who otherwise would not have been caught.””

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-prosecutors-levine-among-most-valuable-witnesses-in-3-decades-20120615,0,829553.story

Federal prosecutors have lauded Stuart Levine as a great, cooperative witness. Why then did they not prosecute Blagojevich first to protect the citizens of Illinois and then wait until after the 2008 election to arrest him?

Couple the value given to Levine by the prosecutors with the timeline. There is only one logical conclusion to come to. The prosecution of Rod Blagojevich was delayed to protect Barack Obama.

From Citizen Wells December 10, 2011.

“2006 is the pivotal turning point.

1. Blagojevich and his corruption buddies are in trouble.

2. Blagojevich, the presumptive presidential candidate, is out and Obama, the unknown, is in. So is the fix.

Rod Blagojevich was elected governor of Illinois in 2002.

From the Blagojevich Criminal Complaint.

“Since approximately 2003, the government has been investigating allegations
of illegal activity occurring in State of Illinois government as part of the administration of Governor ROD BLAGOJEVICH. As further detailed below, the investigation has developed evidence that: (a) beginning not later than in or about 2002, ROD BLAGOJEVICH has conspired with multiple individuals”
From the Washington Post December 22, 2008.

“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.”

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

The following events leading up to 2006 are damning!

June 7, 2004: Stuart Levine, a longtime Republican reappointed to the powerful Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, abruptly resigns on the eve of several important hospital expansion votes. The revelation is the first indication that the Blagojevich administration is under federal criminal investigation.

June 27, 2004: The Tribune discloses that an official for one hospital seeking permission to expand was wearing a federal bug during meetings in an effort to expose extortion attempts by Levine and others for contributions to Blagojevich.

July 2, 2004: Levine resigns from his seat on the board of the state Teachers’ Retirement System. It remains undisclosed that federal authorities had secretly taped Levine’s conversations.

May 9, 2005: Levine is indicted on corruption charges. Federal subpoenas are issued to numerous administration sources, including top Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko

May 20, 2005: The governor’s office acknowledges to the Tribune that Rezko has an ongoing eight-year professional relationship with Patricia Blagojevich’s home-based real estate brokerage, River Realty Inc.

Sept 15, 2005: Prominent Democratic fundraiser Joseph Cari and a former lawyer for the state’s teacher’s pension board pleads guilty in an extortion scheme that steered state pension business to favored companies in exchange for campaign contributions to a high-ranking public official described in court documents only as “Public official A.”

Oct. 25, 2005: The Tribune discloses a federal grand jury investigation into the alleged political hiring practices of the Blagojevich administration, including the governor’s top hiring aide, Joseph Cini.

Aug. 5, 2006: The Tribune reports that Levine is cooperating with the federal investigation of state government.

Sept. 10, 2006: The Tribune reveals that the FBI is investigating allegations by a one-time Blagojevich family friend that she had concerns her state job may have come in return for a $1,500 personal check her husband wrote to one of Blagojevich’s children.

Sept. 17, 2006: The Tribune reports that the Blagojevich administration skirted state hiring rules to give jobs to at least 360 people whose applications were sent through back channels by the governor’s offices and politically connected officials.

Oct. 11, 2006: Blagojevich confidant and top fundraiser Rezko is indicted on federal charges he sought millions of dollars in kickbacks and campaign donations from firms seeking state business.

Oct. 27, 2006: Political insider Levine pleads guilty in a scheme to squeeze millions of dollars from firms seeking state business. In court papers, federal authorities spell out allegations that Rezko and another schemer, identified by sources as Blagojevich confidant and top fundraiser Christopher Kelly, were using their influence for corrupt purposes.

Oct. 27, 2006: The Tribune reveals that Blagojevich’s wife, Patricia, earned more than $113,000 in real estate commissions in 2006 through a woman with a no-bid state contract whose banker husband–a major Blagojevich fundraiser–has business pending before state regulators. Both the FBI and the Cook County state’s attorney’s office begin investigations.”

Next examine what else happens in 2006.

“Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has always been rumored to be interested in higher office. A single entry in a campaign-finance report he filed this week could add fuel to the speculation.

Blagojevich paid $7,500 in December to one of the top Democratic political strategists in Iowa, where contacts are important for anyone with presidential aspirations.”

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2006/02/blagojevich_for_president.html

“In the Summer of 2006, then-U.S. Sen. Obama backed Blagojevich even though there were serious questions at the time about Blago’s hiring practices.

At the time, numerous state agencies had had records subpoenaed, with U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald telling authorities he was looking into “very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud” with a “number of credible witnesses.”

In an interview with the Chicago Daily Herald in July 2006, then-Sen. Obama said, “I have not followed closely enough what’s been taking place in these investigations to comment on them. Obviously I’m concerned about reports that hiring practices at the state weren’t, at times, following appropriate procedures. How high up that went, the degree at which the governor was involved, is not something I’m going to speculate on.

“If I received information that made me believe that any Democrat had not been acting in the public interest, I’d be concerned,” Obama said.

That said, Mr. Obama said, “If the governor asks me to work on his behalf, I’ll be happy to do it.”

Apparently the governor did. At the Illinois State Fair in August 2006, Obama spoke on Blagojevich’s behalf.

“We’ve got a governor in Rod Blagojevich who has delivered consistently on behalf of the people of Illinois,” Obama told the crowd.

In January 2007, Blagojevich’s office reserved the Old State Capitol for Mr. Obama’s presidential announcement at Obama’s request.”

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/12/questions-arise.html

Instead of protecting the citizens of Illinois as he has touted, Patrick Fitzgerald prosecuted Rezko, a businessman, instead of Blagojevich, the governor of Illinois.

From Patrick Fitzgerald’s Government Sentencing Memorandum.

“Antoin Rezko, …recently received a sentence of 126 months’ imprisonment for corrupt activity that he engaged in directly with Blagojevich or with  lagojevich’s tacit approval. Yet, Rezko: (a) held no elected office of trust;”

By prosecuting Rezko first and not calling him as a witness, they kept him incarcerated with no ability to rat on Obama.

They delayed the arrest of Blagojevich until after the 2008 election.

The prosecution botched the first Blagojevich trial and did not call Rezko as a witness.

Counts 1,2 and 4, the ones with the oldest corruption activity and the strongest ties to Obama, were dropped. The alleged excuse was to streamline and simplify the case. Of course if Blagojevich had been arrested by 2007 that would not have happened and Obama would not have been elected.

The second Blagojevich trial also did not call Rezko as a witness. This added to the delays. Blagojevich has just been sentenced.

The day of Blagojevich’s sentencing, we learn that Tony Rezko has filed an appeal. A Blagojevich appeal is sure to follow.

The Blagojevich and Rezko appeal process will go late into or past the 2012 election cycle. Once again protecting Obama.

This is simple enough even for a fifth grader, maybe even a congressman to follow.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/12/10/blagojevich-rezko-obama-patrick-fitzgerald-justice-department-near-perfect-crime-obama-protected-delayed-prosecution-of-blagojevich-rezko-behind-bars/

 
Thanks to commenter Rebel Mope.

Obama corruption buddies sentencing scorecard, June 16, 2012, Ali Ata, Bill Cellini, Stuart Levine, Amrish Mahajan defendant in 2 lawsuits

Obama corruption buddies sentencing scorecard, June 16, 2012, Ali Ata, Bill Cellini, Stuart Levine, Amrish Mahajan defendant in 2 lawsuits

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Ata also donated $5,000 to Obama’s campaign in 2003 and Rezko asked Ata to make straw donation to Obama’s campaign for $10,000″…Tony Rezko trial

“There is enough corruption in Illinois so that all it takes is someone who is serious about finding it to uncover it. If a U.S. attorney is not finding corruption in Illinois, they’re not seriously looking for it.”…Northwestern Law Professor James Lindgren

Stuart Levine who was heavily enmeshed in Chicago corruption with Tony Rezko, with ties to Barack Obama, and Ali Ata and Bill Cellini are all still awaiting sentencing.

Ali Ata’s sentencing has been postponed until mid July.

Bill Cellini recently had a heart attack and his sentencing has been delayed until July 2, 2012.

Stuart Levine is still scheduled to be sentenced on June 28, 2012.

From the Tony Rezko trial.

“Ata was very close with Tony Rezko, visiting Rezko’s Chicago office at least once a week to discuss business. Ata recently pleaded guilty to charges of tax fraud and lying to FBI agents about Rezko’s influence. Today Ata is testifying about his relationship with Rezko.

Born and raised in Jordan, Ata, 56, moved to the U.S. in 1970 to go to college at UIC in Chicago. Ata first became friends with Rezko after Ata was let go from his job as a chemical engineer in 2001. Ata testified that a few days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks FBI agents visited him at his work to question him. Ata shares the same last name as one of the 9/11 hijackers. Two weeks after the FBI’s visit, Ata’s employer offered him an early retirement package. Ata called it “devastating.”

As part of his plea agreement, Ata has agreed to testify against Rezko in exchange for a lighter prison sentence of 12-18 months (The maximum sentence was eight years).

Ata says in 2002 he donated $50,000 to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign. In return Tony Rezko secured Ata a position as the head of the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA). Between 2003-2004 Ata says he contributed $125,000 to Blagojevich’s campaign based on requests from Rezko.
Ata also donated $5,000 to Obama’s campaign in 2003 and Rezko asked Ata to make straw donation to Obama’s campaign for $10,000, he said. The Democratic presidential candidate has donated Rezko-related contributions to charity.

Ata says Rezko was part of the “kitchen cabinet” of close advisers to the governor and had an extreme amount of political influence. At a fundraiser for Blagojevich, Ata says the governor thanked him for his support and contributions and then told him that Ata’s new state job at IFA “would be a job where I (Ata) could make some money.”

A source close to the trial says Ata’s testimony will be the “nail in the coffin” for the jury to convict Rezko on charges of fraud, money laundering and attempted extortion.”

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

From the Chicago SunTimes

February 10, 2008

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

March 14, 2008 interview.

In reference to FBI mole John Thomas:

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

And of course, Amrish Mahajan, is a defendant in 2 lawsuits involving Mutual Bank, the bank that loaned Rita Rezko the money to buy the lot that was split and sold to the Obama’s. Kenneth J. Conner, the whistleblower in that transaction is plaintiff in one and the FDIC the other.

Patrick Fitzgerald pawn idiot or corrupt?, Fitzgerald aggressively prosecuted Republicans, Fitzgerald arrested Blagojevich after 2008 election, Obama protected

Patrick Fitzgerald pawn idiot or corrupt?, Fitzgerald aggressively prosecuted Republicans, Fitzgerald arrested Blagojevich after 2008 election, Obama protected

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

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

“Why was Tony Rezko’s sentencing delayed?”…Citizen Wells

Patrick Fitzgerald, the prosecutor in Operation Board Games of Tony Rezko, Rod Blagojevich, et al, will resign from the US Justice Department at the end of June, 2012.

Fitzgerald aggressively prosecuted Republican ex Governot of Illinois, George Ryan and unjustly went after Scooter Libby and Karl Rove. Fitzgerald waited until after the 2008 elections to arrest Governor Rod Blagojevich despite the fact that he had details of corruption in the Blagojevich Administration at least by late 2003.

Is Patrick Fitzgerald a pawn, an idiot or corrupt?

From an FBI wiretap:

“You know, Axelrod and Obama’s people, you know, clearly turned, you know, got the Chicago media to make Rezko all about me.”

Late 2003.

Earliest documented awareness by FBI and Patrick Fitzgerald of corruption in Blagojevich admin. Pamela Meyer Davis agreed to secretly record conversations involving state health planning board with an FBI wire.

December 31, 2003 NY Times.

“Mr. Fitzgerald announced that he was prosecuting former Gov. George Ryan, a Republican, in a scandal that had been swirling around long before Mr. Fitzgerald got here and that many people thought would never touch the most powerful politicians in Illinois. But there Mr. Fitzgerald was, a week before Christmas, ticking off the details of a 91-page indictment against Mr. Ryan, seemingly from memory.

That, even Mr. Fitzgerald’s former opponents in the courtroom say, is classic Fitzgerald: dogged, dispassionate and endlessly prepared.”

April 8 – May 21, 2004 (Rezko Trial March 12, 2008; 11:11 a.m.)

“FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain, the primary case agent on the investigation into Levine and Rezko, is on the stand now in testimony that is laying the foundation for entering the wiretaps into evidence.

Cain said the investigation, dubbed Operation Board Games by the federal agents, began in December 2003 and was prompted by information gleaned from an informant whom he did not identify. That witness, he said, took part in meetings with two other individuals who were in contact with Levine by phone at his home.

Cain said Levine had three phone lines in his North Shore home. Federal agents recorded conversations on those lines April 8-May 21, 2004. Those dates span the time when Levine, Rezko and others allegedly were working to rig the hospital board vote on a Mercy Health System hospital proposal for Crystal Lake and other kickback schemes prosecutors claim they were engaged in.”

May 9, 2005.

Stuart Levine indicted on corruption charges. Federal subpoena issued to Tony Rezko.
June 15, 2005.

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

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

October 25, 2005.

The Chicago Tribune reports about a federal grand jury investigation into the alleged political hiring practices of the Blagojevich administration.

January 2006.

Rita Rezko sells the Obamas one-sixth of her lot for $104,500.

August 5, 2006.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Stuart Levine is cooperating with the federal investigation of state government.

October 11, 2006.

Tony Rezko is indicted on federal charges he sought millions of dollars in kickbacks and campaign donations from firms seeking state business.

June 4, 2008.

Rezko convicted on 16 of 24 counts.
Count 1 contains ties to Blagojevich and Obama.

The following conviction counts are related to Mercy Hospital and the rigging of the Planning Board.

1, 11, 12, 14, 15

A large portion of the testimony in the Rezko Trial was about the rigging of the Planning Board.

October 16, 2008 Kenneth J. Conner complaint against Mutual Bank filed . The lawsuit is still active.

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

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

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

Soon after the Blagojevich arrest, Conner was interviewed by investigators from Fitzgerald’s office.

December 7, 2008.

Criminal complaint of Blagojevich. Nine individuals is important. Obama helped passed a bill to reduce the number from 15 to 9.

“b. Corruption of the Planning Board”
“At the relevant time period, the Planning Board consisted of nine individuals.”

“Planning Board” (IL Health Facilities Planning Board) is mentioned 31 times.

“Rezko” is mentioned 170 times.

“Hospital” in context of Mercy Hospital mentioned 8 times.
December 9, 2008.

Blagojevich arrested

“Fitzgerald said, “We make no allegations” that Obama was aware of any alleged scheming by Blagojevich.”

February 24, 2011.

Counts 1,2,4 in the Blagojevich Indictment are dropped. This represents approx. half of the indictment and includes numerous corruption ties to Blagojevich and Obama.

October 25 2011.

FDIC as receiver for Mutual Bank files lawsuit against Amrish Mahajan, et al. This is the bank that loaned Rita Rezko the money for the lot purchase. The same lot that was sold to the Obama’s.

“It looks like whistleblower Kenneth J. Conner is being vindicated. Conner was fired after revealing that the appraisal for the lot in the Obama Rezko lot deal was too high.”

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

November 22, 2011.

Tony Rezko sentenced to 10 1/2 years. Rezko was never called as a witness.

December 7, 2011.

Rod Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years.

Stuart Levine, the key witness in the Tony Rezko trial, with ties to Barack Obama, is scheduled to be sentenced June 28, 2012.