Category Archives: Stuart Levine

Patrick Fitzgerald agenda, Protect Obama, Rezko testimony withheld, Fitzgerald attacked Republicans Ryan Libby Rove, Cellini trial

Patrick Fitzgerald agenda, Protect Obama, Rezko testimony withheld, Fitzgerald attacked Republicans Ryan Libby Rove, Cellini trial

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

The William Cellini trial begins Monday, October 3, 2011. From all indications, and in spite of key Witness Stuart Levine being tainted with a drug use history, the prosecution will not call Tony Rezko as a witness. US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, a prosecutor who aggresively went after former IL Governor Ryan and Scooter Libby and Karl Rove, is the reason.

From Nuclear Chicago May 25, 2011.

“US Attorney Patrick “The Sandbagger” Fitzgerald: Winning Thru Intimidation of Citizen Journalists?”

“As an update to my continuing effort to construct a biography of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald as well as provide special reporting related to the retrial of Milorad Blagojevich, I am writing this morning to officially report upon and inform The May Report and NuclearChicago readership of the following:

At approximately 9:15a this past Thursday morning (May 19th), while en route to the Federal Courts to continue our coverage of USA v. Blagojevich – Nuclear Chicago published the following headline:

USA v. Blagojevich Retrial: US Attorney Patrick “The Sandbagger” Fitzgerald?

http://www.nuclearchicago.com/2011/05/nuclear-chicago-usa-v-blagojevich-retrial-u-s-attorney-patrick-the-sandbagger-fitzgerald/

Among other factors, the prevailing basis for same sensational headline as well as related analysis was due to the fact that Antoin “Tony” Rezko – Uber Confidante to Blagojevich, Obama and Nadhmi Auchi – had not yet testified as a Federal Government Witness in USA v. Blagojevich.

Same refusal by US Attorney Fitzgerald to place Rezko in the Witness Box to bury Blagojevich further corroborates the brutal realities that US Attorney Fitzgerald has been running egregious political interference to both benefit and protect Team Obama (i.e., Allison Davis, Dr. Eric Whitaker, Marty Nesbitt, et al).

Simply put – Antoin “Tony” Rezko is the only witness that can bury Blagojevich and the Chicago Political Thuggery Machine.  Why is Fitzgerald holding back Rezko?  What has been promised or implied to Fitzgerald as a “reward” for Fitzgerald’s blatant sandbagging efforts.

Same egregious political interference by Fitzgerald can be traced back to as early as 2006 when the Chicago Tribune was preparing to publish an exclusive scoop that convicted felon and Federal Goverment informant John Thomas (formerly Bernard Barton) was parading around Chicago procuring taped conversations and other evidence against politicians that were visiting Rezko’s real estate office on the near north side of the City. Evidently, same surveillance efforts procured damaging information against then US Senator Obama and Governor Blagojevich.

As reported in an earlier update (and according to a well-placed source at the Chicago Tribune), the Chicago Tribune finally capitulated to Fitzgerald’s demands and efforts to stop same exclusive John Thomas scoop only when Fitzgerald informed the Tribune that same exclusive John Thomas scoop would impair a 2008 Obama Presidential campaign. Upon being informed of 2008 Obama Presidential campaign implications – the Tribune terminated its efforts.  Same scoop was ultimately published in May 2007 via Crain’s Chicago Business to serve as a ‘heads-up’ to Obama for America Treasurer and Chicago Housing Authority Chairman Marty Nesbitt.  Same ‘heads-up’ was yet another example of political interference as John Thomas was actively trying to purchase prime real estate owned by the Chicago Housing Authority – 626 West Jackson.

US Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald — a modern day Elliot Ness with a Harvard Law Degree?

Hardly.

Fitzgerald is a dangerous, unaccountable Federal Bureaucrat with highly-charged political ambitions.  Recent history has demonstrated that nothing is sacred for Fitzgerald when it comes to his highly-charged political ambitions (i.e., Journalist Judith Miller, Scooter Libby, Blago-Gate, et al).

To further demonstrate the highly-charged political behavior of US Attorney Fizgerald, within 2-hours of publishing our Thursday morning update – “US Attorney Patrick ‘The Sandbagger’ Fitzgerald”, which was highly-critical of Rezko being surgically-removed from trial by Fitzgerald – I was detained by US Marshal Service, prohibited from re-entering 25th floor courtroom and escorted out of the Federal Courts Building.”

Read more:

 http://www.nuclearchicago.com/2011/05/nuclear-chicago-us-attorney-patrick-the-sandbagger-fitzgerald-winning-thru-intimidation-of-citizen-journalists/

We discovered recently that Colin Powell knew that Scooter Libby and Karl Rove were not the source of leaks in the Valerie Plame CIA story.  We also knew the truth from Robert Novak on July 12, 2006.

“Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has informed my attorneys that, after two and one-half years, his investigation of the CIA leak case concerning matters directly relating to me has been concluded. That frees me to reveal my role in the federal inquiry that, at the request of Fitzgerald, I have kept secret.

I have cooperated in the investigation while trying to protect journalistic privileges under the First Amendment and shield sources who have not revealed themselves. I have been subpoenaed by and testified to a federal grand jury. Published reports that I took the Fifth Amendment, made a plea bargain with the prosecutors or was a prosecutorial target were all untrue.

For nearly the entire time of his investigation, Fitzgerald knew — independent of me — the identity of the sources I used in my column of July 14, 2003. A federal investigation was triggered when I reported that former Ambassador Joseph Wilson?’s wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, was employed by the CIA and helped initiate his 2002 mission to Niger. That Fitzgerald did not indict any of these sources may indicate his conclusion that none of them violated the Intelligence Identities Protection Act.”

“In my sworn testimony, I said what I have contended in my columns and on television: Joe Wilson’s wife’s role in instituting her husband’s mission was revealed to me in the middle of a long interview with an official who I have previously said was not a political gunslinger. After the federal investigation was announced, he told me through a third party that the disclosure was inadvertent on his part.

Following my interview with the primary source, I sought out the second administration official and the CIA spokesman for confirmation. I learned Valerie Plame’s name from Joe Wilson’s entry in “Who’s Who in America.””

Read more:

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=15988

Some more insight into Patrick Fitzgeralds activities from Sweetness & Light May 25, 2006.

“Patrick Fitzgerald Ratchets Up Attack On Cheney
From the DNC’s house organ, the Washington Post:”

“There’s nothing “alleged” about Plame’s sending Joe to Niger. It’s documented in the 9/11 Commission’s report.

But notice that the Washington Post never uses “alleged” when it is leveling the most preposterous charges against Libby and Cheney.

If there was ever any doubt that Fitzgerald is a political whore, this should clear that up. There is no reason on earth for him to have released this information to the press. It is just more of the DNC’s smear machine at work.”

Read more:

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/fitzgerald-ratchets-up-attack-on-cheney

May 2006, does that ring a bell with anyone? Like the time when Patrick Fitzgerald began protecting Obama, when Blagojevich dropped any presidential aspirations and Obama began planning his presidential bid.

I am not through with Patrick Fitzgerald!

William Cellini trial overview, Tony Rezko not sentenced, Rezko unlikely witness, Patrick Fitzgerald collusion

William Cellini trial overview, Tony Rezko not sentenced, Rezko unlikely witness, Patrick Fitzgerald collusion

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

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

“Why were Stuart Levine and Tony Rezko not called as witnesses in the Blagojevich trials? FBI agent Daniel Cain testified in the Rezko trial. Why was agent Cain not questioned more in the Blagojevich trial?…Citizen Wells

As I have stated before, the first letters in Wells are WE. This has always been a group effort and will continue that way. Below are 2 comments from regulars here. I wish that the rest of the country was paying this much attention.

From Bessie on 2011/09/28 at 8:00 pm.

“It was made perfectly clear in the 2 trials of Rod Blagojevich that
the prosecution and the judge were more concerned with protecting
Obama than they were with a guilty verdict….first they never called
Rezko who’s testimony would have prevented a second trial and he would
have been found guilty on all charges…second, their refusal to turn
over the 302′s and thier lame excuse, “I read them and theres nothing
there”…third, the leaker??? was it someone inside the fbi or U.S.
Attorney’s office or was it John Wyma himself…fourth, Patrick
Fitzgerald’s lack of interest in “who” tipped off John Chase, “It
wasn’t me”, just doesn’t cut it….We can be certian who ever was the
leaker also tipped off Obama and his staff…fifth, Rezko never being
called to testify and him waiting for over 3 years to be sentenced.
sixth, the current law suit of Frawley vs. Weaver, it answers numerous
questions including payments made from Rezko to Obama…which we can all
be pretty sure that the feds knew about this for years…am I forgetting
anything????”

From Pete on 2011/09/29 at 12:54 pm.

“I read a little background about our mutual prosecutor Fitzpatrick the other day. Seems he was famous before being involved in the Chicago crime, we call Obama’s past. Fitzgerald brought a guy in to testify for a grand jury, knowing the whole time that the person he was interviewing had nothing to do with the crime he was investigating. He did this to ‘entrap’ the witness. The witness was Scooter Libby, and he didn’t have ANYTHING to do with Valerie Plame or her public outing at the hands of a Colin Powel aid.

So, we know that Fitzgerald is a political hack for the DEMOCRATS and has no interest in unbiased justice. He is directly INVOLVED in cover-up for Obama and his associations with Blago, Levine, the hospital board, the sale of the illegal senate seat, his illegal housing gift from Rezco, and some 600 million dollars of Iraq reconstruction aid that went mysteriously missing.

I believe it’s all corrupt, to the very core, and the American people are starting to smell and feel the stench of our dear democratic party people. Just remember to remind EVERYONE you see that while politicians may be ‘dirty’ this sort of all out criminal administration has NO PEER in the last 150 years, and is starting to resemble Ulysses Grant for illegal behavior and pay to play.”

Here is a decent overview of the William Cellini trial.

http://www-tc.pbs.org/video/media/swf/PBSPlayer.swf

Watch the full episode. See more Chicago Tonight.

I stated in 2008 before the election that Obama had to win to avoid prosecution. Since taking the White House he has controlled Eric Holder and the US Justice Department. Obama may lose control of Holder for a number of reasons.

Many rumors are circulating about Obama not running in 2012 or having competition in the primaries. I posed the question months ago of who would throw Obama under the bus. At this point I give it a 50 50 chance of his running in 2012. He still has some of the same problems of actually being investigated for a number of indiscretions. So Obama will have to work out a deal with someone(s). Watch closely. This may happen.

Wells

Patrick Fitzgerald protects Obama, Rezko Blagojevich prosecution orchestrated delayed, John Thomas FBI mole, Chicago Tribune

Patrick Fitzgerald protects Obama, Rezko Blagojevich prosecution orchestrated delayed, John Thomas FBI mole, Chicago Tribune

From Illinois Pay To Play September 28, 2011.

“Patrick Fitzgerald: Intrepid Crime Fighter? Or, Politically-Driven Leaker?”

“Was Bernard Barton, Jr. relocated to Chicago on a mission to help
bring down Tony Rezko and, thereby, shield a young, articulate,
African-American politician from his potentially incriminating
associations with Rezko? Too conspiratorial, you say? Maybe. Maybe
not.

Let’s review the highlights of the Silent Mole, starting with an
admission from the Complicit Newspaper.

The Chicago Tribune identified Thomas as a Mole in this May 4, 2007,
article written by David Jackson.

John Thomas bought and sold downtown office buildings and helped other
property developers secure multimillion-dollar mortgage loans.

But the high-living dealmaker had a double life.

Thomas, who was convicted of federal business fraud in New York in
2004, has been serving as an undercover government mole in Chicago for
at least a year as part of an ongoing federal investigation into fraud
in the financing of large-scale commercial real estate deals, the
Tribune has learned.

Records made public so far do not identify the targets of the federal
probe and the FBI and US Attorney’s Office declined to comment for
this article.

That same May, a concerned citizen spoke on the phone with a
well-known Chicago Tribune reporter.  The concerned citizen was trying
to chase down information as to when the Tribune learned that John
Thomas was an FBI mole while working in Rezko’s office.  “Thomas” was
Barton’s new name in Chicago after being relocated from New York,
where he faced prosecution and eventual sentencing for fraud.  (The
complete story of Burton-Thomas is well documented and won’t be
rehashed here.)

The concerned citizen asked the reporter why the Trib had sat on the
Mole’s story since, at least, 2006.  That timeframe was implicitly
provided by the Trib reporter when stating that Patrick Fitzgerald
warned the paper, a year earlier in May 2006, that outing the Mole
would cause problems for the investigation and could prove dangerous
for Burton-Thomas.

Then, in a moment of indiscretion, the reporter added that Fitzgerald
told the Trib in May 2006 that identifying the mole could also
“influence the election.””

“Back when the Mole was entangled with the Eastern District of New
York, Patrick Fitzgerald was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the
adjacent Southern District.  The two would later rendezvous in
Chicago.

So, in February 2002, shortly after Burton-Thomas was relocated to
Chicago from the Big Apple, his nefarious past was outed by a Trib
reporter, but lacked any hint of his cooperation with the feds, nor
reference to his real name.”

“Now, jump ahead to February 2008. Sun-Times staff reporter David
Roeder elaborated on the Mole’s activity:

But sources said that, for more than two years when he was giving
information to agents, Thomas provided a fly-on-the-wall look inside
Rezko’s real estate operations and his desperate attempts to keep his
projects afloat.

Sources said Thomas also logged frequent visits to Rezko from Gov.
Blagojevich and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama​ (D-Ill.).Blagojevich and Obama
were among the many politicians for whom Rezko raised campaign cash.
Neither has been charged with any wrongdoing.

Thomas had good reason to help. He hopes to get probation for his own
felony fraud conviction in a New York case. And he said he wants to
redeem himself in the eyes of business associates and his family.

Sources said Thomas helped investigators build a record of repeat
visits to the old offices of Rezko and former business partner Daniel
Mahru’s Rezmar Corp., at 853 N. Elston, by Blagojevich and Obama
during 2004 and 2005…

Sources said the government had him wear a hidden wire to record
conversations with a Chicago alderman — but that he did not record
Blagojevich or Obama.

Why no recording of Blago and Obama?  Maybe because Blago had
notoriously loose lips and might say something that implicated the
Protected One, Obama.

One month later, in March 2008, presidential candidate Barack Obama
was subjected to an underhand, slow-pitch softball interview by the
editorial board of the Sun Times. The transcript of the interview (no
longer available on line) includes this exchange:

Q: In November 2006, you and your campaign exchanged with us written
interrogatories. So a lot of the quotes I will give you just come out
of those. The campaign said that you probably had lunch with Rezko
once or twice a year. You sort of added four or five times, something
like that.

John Thomas is an FBI mole. He recently told us that he saw you coming
and going from Rezko’s office a lot. And three other sources told us
that you and Rezko spoke on the phone daily. Is that true?

A: (Obama) No. That’s not accurate…
John Thomas aka Bernard Barton
Okay, maybe the Mole misremembered.  A bad memory might explain why he
was never called by the USAO as a witness in the Rezko trial. Or,
perhaps, there was another reason.

On June 21, U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo sentenced John Thomas to
three years probation. His court records are sealed. His mission
accomplished.  And the extent of his subsequent success in Chicago
commercial real estate is displayed on his face today.”

Read more:

http://illinoispaytoplay.com

As most of you know, the Citizen Wells blog has stated that Patrick Fitzgerald has been protecting Obama for some time and should have prosecuted Blagojevich much sooner.

Patrick Fitzgerald is just as guilty of corruption as those he prosecutes. I could prove this in a court of law.

Thanks to commenter Whistleblower

Bill Cellini trial, Prosecutors request block of Stuart Levine drug and party questions, Rezko not expected to testify

Bill Cellini trial, Prosecutors request block of Stuart Levine drug and party questions, Rezko not expected to testify

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

From the Chicago SunTimes September 20, 2011.

“Cellini prosecutors: Don’t ask our star witness about drug-fueled parties, personal life”

“Federal prosecutors in Chicago are asking a federal judge to block “irrelevant” questions about the personal life of the expected star witness in the William Cellini trial: serial swindler Stuart Levine.

Prosecutors say defense lawyers for Cellini should not be allowed to delve into Levine’s lurid background, including his previous testimony that he’d engage in all-night, drug-fueled parties at the Purple Hotel in Skokie and then attend a meeting for a state board the following day.

The government is trying to avoid the same 15-day saga that played out in Tony Rezko’s 2008 corruption trial, where Levine, once a GOP supporter and the member of two influential state boards, spelled out many details of his personal life, arguably creating a distraction in the trial.

“The government anticipates that the defendant will attempt to introduce evidence or cross-examine Stuart Levine, a potential government witness, on certain matters that are irrelevant and/or unduly prejudicial, such as on matters pertaining to Levine’s drug use and personal life,” prosecutors wrote in today’s filing. “…Those topic areas are as irrelevant and/or unfairly prejudicial.”

Prosecutors are again before Judge James Zagel, who previously ruled that those issues could not come up if Levine were to testify in the Blagojevich trial.

He never did.

Cellini is a wealthy Springfield power broker accused of conspiring with others to extort a campaign contribution for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich from Capri Capital’s Tom Rosenberg, who is also a Hollywood film producer.

Levine is key to Cellini’s trial because he and Cellini are on recordings.”

“Rezko, who had been cooperating with authorities following his conviction, is not expected to testify.

Cellini is supposed to go on trial Oct. 3 though Blagojevich –once a codefendant — is scheduled to be sentenced three days later.

Scheduling could come up in a hearing set for this Friday.”

Read more:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/blago/2011/09/cellini_prosecutors_dont_ask_s.html

Why was Tony Rezko’s sentencing delayed?

William Cellini trial, Cellini played Democrats and Republicans, Operation Board Games, Rezko Levine Obama Blagojevich

William Cellini trial, Cellini played Democrats and Republicans, Operation Board Games, Rezko Levine Obama Blagojevich

From the Chicago Tribune September 9, 2011.

“Democrat, Republican — Cellini can play them all”
“Illinois Republicans are often easy to forget, what with the Democrats holding all the key offices, from City Hall West (121 N. LaSalle St.) to City Hall East (1600 Pennsylvania Ave.).

Political historians would tell you that all that power didn’t come from magic spells. It came from big-city Democratic Party patronage armies.

Historians might also tell you that armies travel best on roads.

And in Illinois, for decade upon decade upon decade, all the roads have led to Bill Cellini, the low-key multimillionaire boss hog Republican. Chieftain of the road builders, Cellini was at the heart of the bipartisan Illinois Combine.

Cellini made his fortune through his political connections, working with Republican governors on questionable inside deals from gambling casinos to real estate, all of it from his power base in Springfield. But it’s what he allegedly did with Democrat and convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich that finally landed Cellini in a federal indictment.

On Oct. 3, Cellini will stand trial in federal court in Chicago. If you’re there you’ll see a little guy in his late 70s in a dark suit, unassuming, a thin man wearing a Julius Caesar-style haircut.

And if you’re interested in how Illinois politics works — not the speeches of the puppets and the gamesmanship of their media lickspittles, but the real politics of hard leverage for big money — then you’ll pay attention.”

“”I’ve fought him my entire career,” Sen. Fitzgerald once told me about Cellini. “And for near 40 years, Cellini has been calling the shots from behind the scenes in Springfield. He’s gotten very rich off the taxpayers. Very rich.”

But Cellini stayed to pull the strings. And the Illinois Republican Party ran Pete Fitzgerald out of politics. So don’t tell me there’s not a Combine. The Cellini trial, one of the last chapters of the federal government’s Operation Board Games investigation, will lay out how the Combine works.

Powerful Illinois Republicans team up with powerful Illinois Democrats, and some earthy characters are thrown in. One is convicted political fixer Tony Rezko, fundraiser and real estate fairy to President Barack Obama, and fundraiser to Blagojevich as well.”

“He flew under that radar year after year, without getting much publicity. Fools like Blagojevich preen and demand media attention. Guys like Cellini prefer to count their coin in the shadows.”

“Think of a spider in the middle of a web, and all those silky strands bring him information on what’s coming for dinner.

A spider with hair combed forward over the forehead.

I can’t wait for October.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-kass-0909-20110909,0,6270746,full.column

William Cellini trial, Prosecutors outline case against power broker Cellini, Blagojevich Rezko Levine

william Cellini trial, Prosecutors outline case against power broker Cellini, Blagojevich Rezko Levine

From the Chicago Tribune September 7, 2011.

“Prosecutors outline case against power broker Cellini
Longtime Springfield insider faces corruption, bribery charges”

“Weeks before longtime state power broker William Cellini is set to stand trial, federal prosecutors detailed evidence they have against him, including statements he allegedly made about what to do if law enforcement closed in and about his decades of navigating Illinois politics.

A longtime Republican fundraiser, Cellini cozied up to Democrat Rod Blagojevich during the 2002 governor’s race and struck a deal with Tony Rezko and Chris Kelly, two of Blagojevich’s closest advisers, authorities said. He faces charges of extortion, conspiracy and bribery.

He is accused of agreeing to raise money for Blagojevich as a way to protect his power and influence in Springfield, specifically at the state teacher pension board. He is also accused of trying to shake down a Hollywood producer for campaign contributions for Blagojevich.

In the filing, the government alleges that Cellini, who was a presence in Illinois politics for four decades, discussed his longevity in a February 2004 meeting on an upcoming allocation of $4.8 billion in pension board money.

Cellini recounted to the group — which included Stuart Levine, who was also charged with public corruption — about a meeting he had just had with Rezko and Kelly.

“Upon arriving, defendant said he had just come from a meeting with Rezko and Kelly, and he was upset with them,” the document reads. “He told Rezko and Kelly that they were moving too fast and were going to get themselves in trouble. Defendant said he told Rezko and Kelly that they should take defendant as an example: He had been doing this for 30 years and had always stayed above the fray.”

The filing also details a call in May 2004 between Cellini and Levine. During the recorded call, Cellini allegedly discusses the potential for an investigation and how he allegedly told Rezko and Kelly to have a cover story ready about their relationship with him.”

“The trial is set to begin on Oct. 3.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-cellini-filing-0907-20110907,0,984059.story

Obama thrown under bus by Democrats or Daniel Frawley or Tony Rezko or Rod Blagojevich or Stuart Levine or William Cellini, Obama exits 2012 race?

Obama thrown under bus by Democrats or Daniel Frawley or Tony Rezko or Rod Blagojevich or Stuart Levine or William Cellini, Obama exits 2012 race?

“Why has the mainstream media avoided coverage of the William Cellini
trial? Why are Chicago news stories being scrubbed or
altered?”…Citizen Wells

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

“Will Obama be thrown under the bus”

From Citizen Wells June 27, 2011.

“I am not certain if Obama controls the Democrat party and they are
concerned about 2012. Will the Democrats throw Obama under the bus?”

Read more:

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/obama-under-the-bus-democrat-party-or-rezko-or-cellini-too-late-for-blagojevich/

From the Chicago Daily Observer August 18, 2011.

“Something strange is afoot in a Presidential campaign. To be specific,
something odd is going on within President Barack Obama’s reelection
campaign.

It’s enough to make a person wonder if — with the President’s approval
numbers now at an all time low — there’s an escape plan being hatched
for the 44th President.

Consider Obama’s remarks in June on the Today Show when he said his
family is “not invested” in a second term. He told the interviewer “If
I said, you know guys, I want to do something different, they’d be
fine with that.”

Realize that everything that is said in interviews is planned and
rehearsed in the White House. Nothing is just off- the- cuff in White
House interviews. The same is true with White House spokespeople.

So consider what Obama’s campaign spokesperson (and former press
secretary) Robert Gibbs said this month. On the same day that Obama’s
approval numbers dipped to their lowest, Gibbs said Obama is “quite
comfortable” being a one-term president in order to address issues he
is concerned about.

The two comments are not merely coincidental. They are planned,
formulated, tested and have a goal in mind. Is that goal to make
President Obama appear to be less ambitious for power? Is it to make
more people rise up and support the President? The answer is a “no” to
both theories.

No President who is campaigning for reelection suggests – or has his
spokespeople suggest – that he doesn’t need another term. Can you
remember another President, in the midst of a reelection, suggesting
that he doesn’t need another term?”

Read more:

http://www.cdobs.com/archive/featured/something-strange-afoot-in-the-obama-campaign/

Commenter Bessie, who has been correct about Daniel Frawley news,
placed the following comment on Citizen Wells and on the Chicago Daily
Observer.
“Frawley’s sentencing date has been postponed again, this time at his
request….Don’t worry though he has the best sentencing lawyer in the
country Jeffrey Steinbech and he’s working “pro-bono”.”
What is going on with Daniel Frawley?

From Citizen Wells August 3, 2011.

“Has Daniel Frawley been talking to the Feds? Apparently Frawley will
be sentenced on August 24, 2011. This comes after his sentencing
hearing was suddenly delayed recently. A Chicago SunTimes article
dated July 11, 2011 indicated that Frawley has been cooperating with
the Feds.

“UPDATE: After this story was published Monday morning, U.S. District
Judge Ronald A. Guzman canceled Daniel T. Frawley’s sentencing
hearing, which had been scheduled for Tuesday. Court records did not
indicate why Guzman did this. Frawley’s sentencing had not been
re-scheduled.
Daniel T. Frawley once teamed with Tony Rezko — the political fixer
who’s now in jail — in what turned out to be a doomed effort to open a
training school for Iraqi security forces in western Illinois. Now,
Frawley faces a federal prison stretch of his own.

On Tuesday, the 60-year-old onetime Chicago cop is set to appear
before a federal judge for sentencing after pleading guilty in
February in a $4.4 million bank fraud.

The scheme appears to have no connection to Rezko, the Wilmette
businessman who was once a prolific campaign fund-raiser for
politicians including the current president, Barack Obama, and the
recently convicted former governor, Rod Blagojevich.

Still, federal prosecutors are seeking a reduced sentence for Frawley
— of a year and a half in prison, rather than the 35 years he could
face — apparently because Frawley has been secretly cooperating since
at least 2006 in their investigation of Rezko, who was found guilty in
June 2008 of having used his clout with the Blagojevich administration
to enrich himself and his business associates.

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…”

“Frawley: “Yes, I had a conversation with Mr. Weaver where he
instructed me not to cooperate.”
Frawley: “I was on the phone, making a phone call to Tony Rezko. I had
a luncheon engagement with him.”

“George was outside of the room where I was making the telephone call,
and the purpose of the call was for me to keep my luncheon engagement
with Tony Rezko and to go over and to record Tony Rezko.”

“George saw and heard me on the phone, came running in and went like
this [demonstrating]: Cut it,”

Franklin: “For the record, the deponent is crossing his hands across
his throat.”

Konicek: “And Tony Rezko was where when you were speaking to him?”

Frawley: “He was on the other end of the phone. I don’t recall where he was.”
Konicek: “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: “Am I correct it was about Obama being paid by Rezko?”

Frawley: “I’m not answering that question, based upon my attorney’s
instructions.”

Konicek: “But on March 13, 2006, you’ve already indentified for me
being at 219 South Dearborn. You’re talking to Tony rezko on the
phone, and Mr. Weaver makes this gesture to you, right?”

Frawley: “Mr. Weaver made the gesture and told me to get off the
phone, to end the phone call.”
Konicek: “Okay. And then where were you instructed not to cooperate?”

Frawley: “In the same building, at 219 South Dearborn….in a different room.”
Konicek: “Did you bring to Mr. Weaver in Hinsdale a statement showing
payment to Tony Rezko in the amount of $ 1.5 million?”
Konicek: “Are you going to answer?”

Frawley: “No.”

Konicek: “Are you asserting your Fifth Amendment privilege?”

Frawley: “Yes.””

Read more:

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/daniel-frawley-sentencing-august-24-2011-frawley-talking-for-lighter-sentence-daniel-frawley-throwing-rezko-and-obama-under-bus/

The US Justice Department has been protecting Obama before and after the appointment of Eric Holder as Attorney General. Holder is under increased scrutiny and increasingly Obama appears to be unelectable. Will the Democrats throw Obama or allow Obama to be thrown under the bus? Or will Obama exit on his own?

Joseph Cari sentenced, Blagojevich Rezko Obama Biden ties, Cari pressured by Stuart Levine, John Harris and Alonzo Monk await sentencing

Joseph Cari sentenced, Blagojevich Rezko Obama Biden ties, Cari pressured by Stuart Levine, John Harris and Alonzo Monk await sentencing

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

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

“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

From the Chicago Tribune August 9, 2011.

“A federal judge chose not to send a cooperating witness in the prosecution of Rod Blagojevich to prison for his role in trying to shake down an asset management firm, sentencing the former fundraiser on Tuesday to three years of probation.

Joseph Cari, 58, is one of the first notable figures to be sentenced of those who took plea deals and testified against the impeached Illinois governor. Blagojevich’s former chiefs of staff John Harris and Alonzo Monk are among those still awaiting sentencing.

Cari, who pleaded guilty to attempted extortion, told Judge Amy St. Eve just before she sentenced him that he took full responsibility for his actions and was sorry.

“I will live with the shame and pain for the rest of my life,” he said.

A former finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Cari described to jurors at Blagojevich’s first corruption trial how the then-governor boasted to him in 2003 about how governors could pressure companies desperate for state business for campaign cash.

Prosecutors decided not to call Cari as part of their streamlined case at the retrial this year, where Blagojevich was convicted of counts including trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat for a high-paying job or campaign donations. Blagojevich is slated to be sentenced Oct. 6.

As part of Cari’s probation, St. Eve said he must remain on home confinement for the first nine months, though he will be able to leave to go to work or even to travel abroad on business. The maximum prison sentence for extortion is 20 years.”

“At Blagojevich’s first trial, Cari told jurors that the governor’s advisers dangled the possibility that he could get law business and other fees from the state if he put his fundraising contacts to work for a possible Blagojevich run for the White House.

Cari said he eventually bowed to pressure from Stuart Levine, a Blagojevich campaign contributor and influential member of the board that governed a multibillion-dollar fund that pays the pensions of Illinois teachers not in Chicago. Levine wanted Cari to call the Virginia-based asset management firm and warn them they would lose an $80 million allocation from the fund if they didn’t hire a consultant they had never met. Cari said that when the head of the management firm asked why, he had a simple answer: “That’s the way they do it in Illinois.””

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-bc-il–blagojevichtrial-cari,0,5737774.story

From Citizen Wells August 26, 2008.

“Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better. Just when you thought the height of lies, deception and corruption had been achieved. Along comes another tie to Tony Rezko and crime and corruption in Chicago and Illinois. We have a balanced ticket in Obama and Biden. They both have ties to Tony Rezko and Joseph Cari.”

“Vice-presidential candidate Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del. (left), has been advised since 1984 by Joseph Cari (right), the Chicago lawyer and onetime mega-fundraiser who has been tied to the Antoin “Tony” Rezko patronage scandal.”

“Chicago lawyer and onetime mega-fundraiser Joseph Cari has advised Biden and his campaigns on and off since 1984, serving in posts as varied as a Senate adviser on crime to the Midwest Political Director for Biden’s aborted 1987 presidential bid. In 2005 Cari helped arrange private meetings for Biden with potential supporters, as the senator explored another run for the White House. He has also worked to raise money for Biden . “

“Cari admitted that in 2004 he helped a Rezko associate by making calls in what turned out to be a kickback scheme. The deal was an offshoot of a complex corruption scheme wrought by Antoin “Tony” Rezko , whose ties to Obama have vexed the White House hopeful . Cari has maintained he did not know the details of that scheme or any other.”

Read more:

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/biden-tied-to-rezko-fraud-figure-abc-news-obama-rezko-biden-joseph-cari-biden-campaign-advisor-fundraiser-chicago-lawyer-more-chicago-corruption-in-obama-team/

From Citizen Wells June 17, 2010.

“Joseph Cari, Democratic National Committee finance chairman, tied to Chicago corruption, is on the witness stand today, Thursday, June 17, 2010. Cari is a two for one witness. He has ties to corruption and Joe Biden.

From the Tony Rezko trial.

April 15, 2008
“Former Democratic fundraiser Joseph Cari testified Tuesday afternoon about a 2003 fundraising trip he took to New York with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, offering some of the most damaging testimony for the governor to emerge from the trial of his fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko.

Cari said the governor told him that he thought it would be easy to raise money for a presidential run because a governor had the ability to raise money by handing out contracts and state business.

Cari said his conversation with Blagojevich took place on a private plane arranged by Stuart Levine, the star witness in the case against Rezko who finished lengthy testimony earlier Tuesday.

Blagojevich told him how happy he was to be governor, Cari said, “but also that he had aspirations beyond the governorship.”

Cari said he discussed with Blagojevich why former President Bill Clinton had been successful running for the office as a sitting governor in Arkansas. Blagojevich told him that it was easier for a governor to make a run than a senator “because a governor had the ability to award contracts,” Cari said. “It was easier to obtain contributions.””

“Cari said he met with Stuart Levine at Rezko’s office in January that year. Rezko said he had the power to award contracts and get consultants hired through the governor’s then-chief of staff, Lon Monk, Cari said.

“Mr. Monk took direction from [Rezko],” Cari told the jury.

Rezko illustrated his clout by picking up the phone and apparently calling Monk in front of him, Cari said.”

“Cari said he was a go-between for one of his partners at HealthPoint and tried to follow Levine’s orders to have a finder’s fee paid on an $80 million allocation for JER from the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System.

When the arrangement was delayed, Cari said, he spoke to a JER executive who was shepherding the TRS deal and told her what Levine had communicated to him. If JER didn’t hire the consultant that had been named, the allocation would be pulled.

“I unequivocally told her that,” Cari testified.

The governor and the people around him selected law firms, investment firms and consultants that were used in such arrangements, Cari said he told the executive.

“This has been the history of Illinois and this is the way in Illinois that it’s done,” he said.””

Read more:

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/blagojevich-trial-joseph-cari-two-for-one-witness-cari-tied-to-chicago-corruption-and-joe-biden-joseph-cari-testimony-june-17-2010/

Obama past surfaces again, Health Facilities Planning Board rigging, Pam Davis listening device

Obama past surfaces again, Health Facilities Planning Board rigging, Pam Davis listening device

“Why was Obama in constant contact with Tony Rezko in 2004 when Rezko was conspiring with William Cellini to use TRS, Teacher Retirement Fund, assets for political gain and personal enrichment?”…Citizen Wells

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

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

Obama’s past corruption ties have surfaced again. This will continue to happen.

From Citizen Wells JUly 15, 2011.

“Obama and the US Justice Department must believe that they have done a masterful job of protecting Obama while aggressively prosecuting his corruption buddies. But the ghosts of Christmast past keep appearing.

Tony Rezko and Stuart Levine are awaiting sentencing. Rod Blagojevich will certainly appeal his convictions. William Cellini is awaiting trial in October 2011. And Daniel Frawley mentioned Rezko and Obama and $ 1.5 million dollars as well as Rezko’s old partner Daniel Mahru in a deposition December 1, 2010.”

Read more

I was pleased and amazed to see a reference to the Health Facilities Planning Board and Pam Davis in a Chicago Tribune article dated July 26, 2011.

“As the 18 jurors stood in a cramped freight elevator and left
theChicago federal building for the first time as a group, the woman
whom they later chose to be their leader said the sobering importance
of their task could be read on each face.

“There was a lot of stunned silence,” said Connie Wilson, a retired
Naperville church choral director who served as forewoman in the
recent retrial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. “There was a
lot of nerves, shocked expressions and even some tears.”

Wilson offered another glimpse Monday into the inner workings of the
federal jury that last month convicted Blagojevich on 17 of 20 counts
of fraud, corruption and attempted extortion.”

“Two members in the audience played an early but crucial role in the
FBI investigation that uncovered widespread corruption in
Blagojevich’s administration.

Pam Davis, CEO of Edward Hospital in Naperville, and William Kottmann,
CEO of Edward Medical Group, both secretly wore a listening device for
the FBI for eight months in 2003 after raising extortion complaints in
their bid to build a $218 million hospital inPlainfield.

Davis said they were told that If they hired builder Jacob Kiferbaum’s
firm, , the then-Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board would
support their plans. Later, Kiferbaum and health board member Stuart
Levine and Tony Rezko, a top Blagojevich fundraiser, either pleaded
guilty or were convicted on federal charges.

Listening to Wilson speak, Davis said she felt vindicated.

“There was fallout,” Davis said. “But I felt this man (Blagojevich)
was corrupt and his corruption was widespread. It was worth the effort
that he was finally convicted.””

Read more

From Citizen Wells March 14, 2011.

“Jan. – Aug. 2003:  Obama was Chairman of the IL Senate Health and Human Service Committee.
Feb. 20, 2003: Senate Bill 1332 “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act” filed. Reduced members of IL Health Planning and Facilities Board from 15 to 9.

(Rezko Trial March 13, 2008; 3:09 p.m.)

“Almanaseer was appointed to the planning board in 2003 on Rezko’s recommendation. Prosecutors contend he became part of a five-member voting bloc on the board that followed Rezko’s wishes. Almanaseer said board Chairman Thomas Beck tried to steer his voting.

“He said, ‘If you just don’t know which way to vote, vote the way Mr. Levine votes because that’s the way Tony would want the vote to go,” Almanaseer recalled, referring to Stuart Levine.”

Spring 2003 – Nov 2003: (Rezko trial March 11, 2008; 10:58 a.m.)

“Jennifer Thomas, a former aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s patronage chief Joe Cini, continued on the stand Tuesday morning and gave a few more insights into those regular Monday morning meetings she and Cini held in 2003 with Antoin “Tony” Rezko at his office.”

“Thomas said Rezko floated the names of several people to sit on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which the government claims Rezko corrupted with the help of board member Stuart Levine. And Thomas said Rezko at one point made it clear that he wanted to see Levine reappointed to the panel, which was being overhauled by the governor in 2003.”
May 21, 2003: Senate Bill 1332 passed by House and Senate.
June 27, 2003: Blagojevich made this the effective date of Senate Bill 1332.
June 2003: (Rezko trial March 10, 2008; 4:16 p.m.)

“Ziegelmueller asked Hayden about a 2003 e-mail exchange with Lichtenstein, then the governor’s top lawyer, in which Wilhelm made recommendations for the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.
The name of Barack Obama, the Democratic front-runner for the presidential nomination, also appears in the e-mail as a member of a strategic team reviewing hospital board matters with the governor’s staff when he was a state senator. The hospital board was scheduled to be revamped in the summer of 2003.
Obama was then chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.”
June 30, 2003: Obama gets the following donations.

$5000 Ali Ata was appointed as Director at IFA
$6000 Alison Davis gets appointment on Investment Board
$15,000 Dr. Michael Malek gets appointment on Hospital Facility Board
$5000  Abdelhamid Chaib’s wife gets appointment on Employee Security Board
$10,000 Elie Maloof – Rezko used him as one of several strawmen to donate funds to certain politicians.
$1000  Phil Cacciatore (one of Auchi’s Riverside Park Investors) gets seat on Board
$1000  Velma Butler (one of Auchi’s Riverside Park Investors) was recommended for Board
$1000  Martello Pollack (Vegas Crystal Comm) received Iraqi Construction contracts
$1000 Jack Carriglio gets appointed to Board
$500  Anthony Abboud gets appointed to Board
$3000 Michael Winter, who helped Rezko in funneling kickbacks through investment firm
$1000 Talat Othman gets appointed to Board
$1000 David Gustman, $1000 from Gustman’s wife after he is appointed Board Chairman
Late 2003: Earliest documented awareness by FBI and Patrick Fitzgerald of corruption in Blagojevich admin. Pamela Meyer Davis agreed to secretly record conversations involving state health planning board with an FBI wire.”

Read more

Obama corruption buddies, Ghosts of Christmas past, Rezko Levine Blagojevich Frawley Mahru Cellini

Obama corruption buddies, Ghosts of Christmas past, Rezko Levine Blagojevich Frawley Mahru Cellini

“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?” …Attorney Daniel Konicek, Frawley Deposition

“Why was Obama in constant contact with Tony Rezko in 2004 when Rezko was conspiring with William Cellini to use TRS, Teacher Retirement Fund, assets for political gain and personal enrichment?”…Citizen Wells

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

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

Obama and the US Justice Department must believe that they have done a masterful job of protecting Obama while aggressively prosecuting his corruption buddies. But the ghosts of Christmast past keep appearing.

Tony Rezko and Stuart Levine are awaiting sentencing. Rod Blagojevich will certainly appeal his convictions. William Cellini is awaiting trial in October 2011. And Daniel Frawley mentioned Rezko and Obama and $ 1.5 million dollars as well as Rezko’s old partner Daniel Mahru in a deposition December 1, 2010.

From Citizen Wells July 14, 2011.

“UPDATE: After this story was published Monday morning, U.S. District Judge Ronald A. Guzman canceled Daniel T. Frawley’s sentencing hearing, which had been scheduled for Tuesday. Court records did not indicate why Guzman did this. Frawley’s sentencing had not been re-scheduled.
Daniel T. Frawley once teamed with Tony Rezko — the political fixer who’s now in jail — in what turned out to be a doomed effort to open a training school for Iraqi security forces in western Illinois. Now, Frawley faces a federal prison stretch of his own.”

“Still, federal prosecutors are seeking a reduced sentence for Frawley — of a year and a half in prison, rather than the 35 years he could face — apparently because Frawley has been secretly cooperating since at least 2006 in their investigation of Rezko, who was found guilty in June 2008 of having used his clout with the Blagojevich administration to enrich himself and his business associates.”

Read more

Here are some interesting exerpts from the Daniel Frawley Deposition.

Attorneys Franklin & Schutte represent Frawley, plaintiff.

Attorney Konicek represents George Weaver, defendant.

Frawley: “George told me that he had a meeting at his office on LaSalle Street with Dan Mahru, with some people from First Bank–I didn’t know how many at the time–and himself. And George instructed me not to attend.”

Konicek: “So who said it to you, and where was it said to you?”

Frawley: “Dan Mahru told me that First Bank was agreeable to a settlement.”

Konicek: “In March 13, 2006, you had a conversation with Mr. Weaver where you say he instructed me not to cooperate.”

Frawley: “Yes, I had a conversation with Mr. Weaver where he instructed me not to cooperate.”
Frawley: “I was on the phone, making a phone call to Tony Rezko. I had a luncheon engagement with him.”

“George was outside of the room where I was making the telephone call, and the purpose of the call was for me to keep my luncheon engagement with Tony Rezko and to go over and to record Tony Rezko.”

“George saw and heard me on the phone, came running in and went like this [demonstrating]: Cut it,”

Franklin: “For the record, the deponent is crossing his hands across his throat.”

Konicek: “And Tony Rezko was where when you were speaking to him?”

Frawley: “He was on the other end of the phone. I don’t recall where he was.”
Konicek: “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: “Am I correct it was about Obama being paid by Rezko?”

Frawley: “I’m not answering that question, based upon my attorney’s instructions.”

Konicek: “But on March 13, 2006, you’ve already indentified for me being at 219 South Dearborn. You’re talking to Tony rezko on the phone, and Mr. Weaver makes this gesture to you, right?”

Frawley: “Mr. Weaver made the gesture and told me to get off the phone, to end the phone call.”
Konicek: “Okay. And then where were you instructed not to cooperate?”

Frawley: “In the same building, at 219 South Dearborn….in a different room.”
Konicek: “Did you bring to Mr. Weaver in Hinsdale a statement showing payment to Tony Rezko in the amount of $ 1.5 million?”
Konicek: “Are you going to answer?”

Frawley: “No.”

Konicek: “Are you asserting your Fifth Amendment privilege?”

Frawley: “Yes.”

Konicek: “And in the phone call where Mr. Weaver said he wanted to contact Channel 7, was that about the $ 1.5 million from Rezko?”

Frawley: “I don’t know.”

Konicek: “Who, is the question, are the clients that you’re referring to in this paragraph 21?”

Frawley: “If the question is who were the clients that George was representing, the answer to that question is Tony Rezko and himself.”

Konicek: “Give me locations.”

Frawley: “George was my attorney. Georges offices were her in Chicago. And George was being paid by me, and George was supposed to be representing my interests. And George was representing his own and Tony Rezko’s.”

Konicek: “Did you have a meeting in Hinsdale with Mr. Weaver where the subject of disclosing  Rezko’s payment of $ 1.5 million –”

Franklin: “Objection. Fifth Amendment.”

Konicek: “Did you have contact with Mr. Rezko after your arrest in Cook County?”

Franklin: “Objection. Goes to Fifth Amendment.”

Read more

Daniel Mahru, Rezko’s old slum building partner, mentioned above, apparently has been available for questioning.

Reported at the Chicago SunTimes and saved by Free Republic February 24, 2008.
“Indicted developer Tony Rezko is claiming his former business partner, Dan Mahru, became a federal informant and turned on him to avoid being arrested for his own legal problems.
In court documents filed in federal court late Friday, Rezko’s attorney says Mahru began cooperating with federal authorities in December 2005 –10 months before Rezko was indicted — after being confronted by government agents.”

Read more:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1975402/posts

More on Mahru, Rezko and other Obama corruption buddies.

From Boston.com June 27, 2008.

“Grim proving ground for Obama’s housing policy

The candidate endorsed subsidies for private entrepreneurs to build low-income units. But, while he garnered support from developers, many projects in his former district have fallen into disrepair.
The squat brick buildings of Grove Parc Plaza, in a dense neighborhood that Barack Obama represented for eight years as a state senator, hold 504 apartments subsidized by the federal government for people who can’t afford to live anywhere else.

But it’s not safe to live here.

About 99 of the units are vacant, many rendered uninhabitable by unfixed problems, such as collapsed roofs and fire damage. Mice scamper through the halls. Battered mailboxes hang open. Sewage backs up into kitchen sinks. In 2006, federal inspectors graded the condition of the complex an 11 on a 100-point scale – a score so bad the buildings now face demolition.”

“One of the largest recipients of the subsidies was Rezmar Corp., founded in 1989 by Tony Rezko, who ran a company that sold snacks at city beaches, and Daniel Mahru, who ran a company that sold ice to Rezko. Neither man had development experience.

Over the next nine years, Rezmar used more than $87 million in government grants, loans, and tax credits to renovate about 1,000 apartments in 30 Chicago buildings. Companies run by the partners also managed many of the buildings, collecting government rent subsidies.

Rezmar collected millions in development fees but fell behind on mortgage payments almost immediately. On its first project, the city government agreed to reduce the company’s monthly payments from almost $3,000 to less than $500.

By the time Obama entered the state Senate in 1997, the buildings were beginning to deteriorate. In January 1997, the city sued Rezmar for failing to provide adequate heat in a South Side building in the middle of an unusually cold winter. It was one of more than two dozen housing-complaint suits filed by the city against Rezmar for violations at its properties.

People who lived in some of the Rezmar buildings say trash was not picked up and maintenance problems were ignored. Roofs leaked, windows whistled, insects moved in.

“In the winter I can feel the cold air coming through the walls and the sockets,” said Anthony Frizzell, 57, who has lived for almost two decades in a Rezmar building on South Greenwood Avenue. “They didn’t insulate it or nothing.”

Sharee Jones, who lives in another former Rezko building one block away, said her apartment was rat-infested for years.”

Read more:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/27/grim_proving_ground_for_obamas_housing_policy/?page=full