Category Archives: Tony Rezko

Daniel Frawley sentencing April 19, 2012, Rezko partner, Frawley deposition damning for Obama, Frawley relates Rezko money for Obama

Daniel Frawley sentencing April 19, 2012, Rezko partner, Frawley deposition damning for Obama, Frawley relates Rezko money for Obama

“Why has the Daniel Frawley sentencing been repeatedly delayed?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Daniel Frawley provide $ 400,000 for Tony Rezko to give to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

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

Daniel Frawley, former partner of Tony Rezko, is scheduled for sentencing  Thursday, April 19, 2012 in the courtroom of Judge Ronald A. Guzman.

Daily Calendar

Thursday, April 19, 2012 (As of 04/12/12 at 06:48:27 AM )

Honorable Ronald A. Guzman                  Courtroom 1219 (RAG)

1:11-cr-00056   USA v. Frawley                         10:30   Sentencing

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

Reprinted from Citizen Wells December 27, 2011.

Daniel Frawley, former Tony Rezko partner, has had his sentencing repeatedly delayed. In a deposition Frawley spoke of Tony Rezko giving Barack Obama money and then when asked to elaborate, he exercised his Fifth Amendment right.

Are we ever going to find out more from Daniel Frawley about the money that Rezko gave Obama?

From Citizen Wells July 14, 2011.

“Frawley says in the deposition that on March 13, 2006, he was in the Dirksen Federal Building at 219 S. Dearborn, making a phone call to Rezko’s cell phone and secretly recording him when attorney Weaver walked in and interrupted him.

Also in the room at the time, according to Frawley, were: Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Stern; James “Sam” Dorger Jr., of the Illinois attorney general’s office’s public-integrity unit; an “FBI agent whose name I do not recall”; and Thomas Durkin, a criminal attorney also representing Frawley.

“I was on the phone, making a phone call to Tony Rezko,” Frawley says, according to the transcript. “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,” drawing his hand across his throat.

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.”

Nobody directly involved with the deposition — including Frawley and his lawyers, Weaver and his lawyers, and the FBI and U.S. attorney’s office — would comment.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/tony-rezko-partner-sentencing-delayed-daniel-frawley-rezko-payments-to-obama-frawley-cooperating-for-lighter-sentence/

Why has the Chicago press, namely the Tribune and SunTimes, been so silent on Daniel Frawley and the Obama connection recently?

American Thinker has produced some excellent articles on Daniel Frawley and the Obama connections.

From March 6, 2008.

“Companion Security was headed by a former Chicago policeman with a troubled history, Daniel T. Frawley, in partnership with Mr. Rezko and in association with Daniel Mahru, the lawyer for the original contract and Mr. Rezko’s former business partner. In April 2006, Mr. Frawley entered negotiations with Governor Rod Blagojevich’s staff to lease a military facility in Illinois to be a training camp. In August 2006, Mr. Frawley started negotiations with Mr. Obama’s U.S. Senate staff to complete the contract….

“The timeline of Companion discussions in 2006 is important to note: April 2006 Frawley speaks to governor’s office; August 2006 Frawley speaks to senator’s office; October 2006 indictment of Rezko revealed; October 2006 Rezko arrested upon return from Syria; October 2006 Alsammarae convicted in Baghdad and makes his first escape attempt; December 2006 Alsammarae escapes from Baghdad. …

“(In 2004) Mr. Auchi traveled by private aircraft to Midway Airport in Chicago and then to a fete at the Four Season Hotel, where he met with his business partner in Chicago real estate, Mr. Rezko, as well as with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Also present that night, according to a fresh report by James Bone and Dominic Kennedy of the London Times, was State Senator Barack Obama, who had recently won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat….”

I strongly urge you to read the rest of this early article that indicts Obama.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/03/obamas_iraqi_oil_for_food_conn.html

December 22, 2011

“Chicago Sun Times Does Hit-and-Run on Obama-Rezko Payoff Lead”

“Last July, two Chicago Sun-Times reporters noted an allegation of “payments made by Rezko to Obama” that surfaced in a deposition involving former Rezko business partner Daniel T. Frawley. Since then, the only follow-up coverage from the Sun-Times has been the sound of crickets.
An article dated July 11, 2011, entitled “Ex-Rezko partner’s sentencing delayed,” announced that Daniel Frawley’s sentencing for bank fraud had been postponed, yet again. He came up for sentencing again this week, and — surprise! — there’s been another postponement.”

“If you read the deposition over the holidays, keep eggnog close. It is 65 pages of mind-numbing dialogue that finds, at one point, the opposing attorneys arguing over the meaning of the word “this.”

So, to summarize:

o A former key business associate of Tony Rezko pleads guilty to a crime after the statute of limitations had expired.

o Frawley agrees to pay a whopping $4 million in restitution, with no apparent means to do so. If, miraculously, he comes up with the four million, ask yourself: who benefits the most?

o His lawyers hope that his cooperation will mean a lighter sentence for a crime that was past the statute of limitations to begin with. Did the feds have something else on Frawley that they used as leverage?

o Frawley allegedly provides useful information on Rezko, but we don’t know what that was about. He didn’t testify at Rezko’s trial. How come?

o One last question, in an episode full of questions: did the Sun-Times back off this lead because of its continuing support for Barack Obama?

In a December 5, 2011 e-mail, this writer asked Tom McNamee, editorial page editor of the Chicago Sun-Times, if the paper stood by its 2008 endorsement of Obama for the presidency. McNamee responded:

When we write editorials, including updates on earlier editorials, it will be for Sun-Times readers, Mr. Cary. Keep reading the paper, as I’m sure you now will, and we will continue to weigh in on President Obama from time to time.

Hearing that as a non-answer, the question was forwarded to Andrew Herrmann, managing editor of the paper. He responded:

The paper endorsed Obama for president. He was elected president. Since then, we have critiqued his decisions regularly — some good, some bad. But we have never expressed any regret or reversal of our endorsement editorial.

No regrets from the Sun-Times. Just hit-and-run journalism.”

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/12/chicago_sun_times_does_hit-and-run_on_obama-rezko_payoff_lead.html

The Chicago SunTimes has become silent, but at least they covered the deposition. The Chicago Tribune shied away from the story. Don’t take my word for it. Go to your favorite search engine and search for a Tribune article on Daniel Frawley in 2011.

Chicago style politics and “1984.”

Christopher Kelly Andrew Breitbart deaths more suspicious, Donald Young Bill Gwatney murders, Obama camp death threats

Christopher Kelly Andrew Breitbart deaths more suspicious, Donald Young Bill Gwatney murders, Obama camp death threats

“Why was Christopher Kelly transported past 2 trauma facilities on the way to Stroger Hospital?”…Thomas R. Bennett

“Why did Donald Young, Bill Gwatney, Christopher Kelly, Andrew Breitbart and others with information about Obama all die under mysterious circumstances?”…Citizen Wells

With the recent mysterious death of Andrew Breitbart, on the very day that he was supposed to go public with damning info on Barack Obama, and sentencing of Obama corruption buddies, I am reminded again of the mysterious death of former Blagojevich aide Christopher Kelly. Confirmed murders of individuals with information about Obama include Donald Young, the gay choirmaster at TUCC, Obama’s church, and DNC official Bill Gwatney, who Hollywood Producer Bettina Viviano states was murdered as a warning to Bill Clinton to keep his mouth shut.

One of the death threats I received in 2008 was reported to the FBI.

Here are just a few of the connections between Christopher Kelly and Barack Obama.
Obama was chairman of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee in January 2003.

IL senate records from January 2003 to August 2003 reveal Obama as chairman of that committee, played a major role in pushing through Senate Bill 1332, that led to the “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act.”

The act reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, making the votes much easier to rig.

The bill was filed on February 20, 2003.

Less than a month later, Chairman Obama sent word that the bill should be passed on March 13, 2003.

On May 31, 2003 the House and Senate passed the bill.

Blagojevich made the effective date June 27, 2003.
From Capitol Fax May 1, 2008.

“On the stand is FBI Agent Charles Willenborg, who is testifying about spreadsheets he developed tracing Rezko’s phone calls.

The charts show the frequency and length of calls between Rezko and some key players in the trial — William Cellini, Stuart Levine, Chris Kelly, among others.”

http://capitolfax.com/2008/05/01/whats-up-with-this-ata-guy/
From Rezko trial exhibits covering March – May 2004.

FBI chart presented to the jury on April 28, 2008, shows 257 calls from Rezko’s phones to Blagojevich’s chief of staff, Lon Monk, between March 2004 and May 2004 alone.

Click to access phone_chart_07.pdf

From Rezko trial March 10, 2008.

“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. Other legislative leaders, including Madigan, were part of that review panel as well, according to the e-mail.”
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,“
From the Chicago SunTimes February 10, 2008.

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

“And three other sources told us that you and Rezko spoke on the phone daily.””
From the Rod Blagojevich criminal complaint.

“Blagojevich, Rezko, Kelly, and Monk had conversations, individually and collectively, about how the four of them could make money from their control over the State of Illinois government.
In those conversations, Blagojevich, Rezko, Kelly, and Monk discussed a number of specific ideas for making money, such as through operating businesses that would get state money in different ways or receiving fees from people who did business with the state. Blagojevich, Rezko, Kelly, and
Monk did not expect to have to invest significant money in any of these deals; instead, they were simply looking to collect money from the deals in the form of a finder’s fee or from revenue that might be generated from the deals. As a general matter, Rezko was the one who was trying to set up the money-making arrangements and Kelly and Rezko were the most knowledgeable about how
the plans would work. Blagojevich and Monk would then use their power and authority in state government as needed to assist whatever plans Rezko and Kelly put in place.

The conversations about making money from state action began before Blagojevich actually won the election in 2002. Kelly brought up the idea to Monk in 2002, when it seemed pretty certain that Blagojevich would win. In that conversation, Monk understood Kelly to suggest that Kelly, Monk, Blagojevich, and others could benefit if Blagojevich won the election. Kelly said that there
was money to be made from Blagojevich being Governor and that the Republicans had been doing the same for a long time.

There were occasions after Blagojevich became Governor that Blagojevich, Kelly, Monk, and Rezko all met to discuss their efforts to make money from state action. For example, the four men met in a conference room at the offices of one of Rezko’s businesses in about mid to late 2003.
During the meeting, Rezko led the discussion, standing at an easel or chalkboard and listed at least three or four different ideas or plans to make money being developed by Rezko that involved some kind of state action. At times, Kelly got up during the meeting and clarified or added to things that Rezko was saying. Blagojevich mostly listened during the meeting, but was engaged. As Rezko
talked, he indicated how much money Blagojevich, Kelly, Rezko, and Monk could hope to make from the different ideas. The amounts that were associated with the different ideas were typically in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per deal, which would be evenly split four ways.”
“At some point between mid-2003 and early 2004, Kelly talked to Monk about how the Republicans had used state action to make money. In that conversation, Kelly referenced one of the boards on which Levine served – either TRS or the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board. Kelly told Monk that Levine was a smart guy and knew how to get things done, which Monk understood to mean that Levine knew how to get the board to do certain things that would help Levine make money. From what Kelly said, Monk understood that Kelly had recently been talking with Levine and may have just left a meeting with Rezko and Levine.”

Christopher Kelly’s mysterious death.

From Citizen Wells November 4, 2011.

From Nuclear Chicago.

About

“Thomas R. Bennett, owner and publisher of NUCLEAR | CHICAGO is also the Principal of a Chicago-based commercial real estate company as well as the sponsor of several emerging technology and Next Generation Commerce early-stage investments.

Mr. Bennett’s citizen journalism endeavor via NUCLEAR | CHICAGO while recent, is not new to the extended Bennett family.  Investigative journalism and law enforcement is very much a part of Mr. Bennett’s DNA as several of Mr. Bennett’s relatives have backgrounds in both law enforcement and media.

In fact, the catalyst for Mr. Bennett establishing NUCLEAR | CHICAGO can be attributed to both Mr. Bennett’s aggressive and determined approach for uncovering The Truth as well as influenced by the legacy that was established by Mr. Bennett’s Irish Immigrant Great Uncle – Michael ‘Iron Mike’ Hughes.

‘Iron Mike’ Hughes, a native of Ballygar in County Galway, Ireland, was the Chief of the Chicago Police Department, and former Chief of Detectives during the Era in which Al Capone and his notorious gang of hoodlums were roaming the streets of Chicago.  According to the Chicago Tribune, ‘Iron Mike’ Hughes – had a ‘record without parallel’ and was regarded as ‘the personal nemesis of all crookdom’ during his tenure at the Chicago Police Department.

Upon Iron Mike’s retirement in November 1935 after a 41-year career with the Chicago Police Department, Iron Mike embarked upon a career as a journalist and reporter with the The Chicago American – the last of the aggressive journalistic traditions in Chicago.

In recent years, Mr. Bennett has been exposed to various levels of ‘crookdom’ emanating from Rich Daley’s City Hall for the past several years.  To this end, the final catalyst for Mr. Bennett’s launch of NUCLEAR | CHICAGO can be attributed to a handful of corrupt events that Mr. Bennett was subjected to beginning in 2007.  NUCLEAR | CHICAGO will be reporting upon his  own experience in great detail, as well as other instances of ‘crookdom’ throughout Illinois.

NUCLEAR | CHICAGO will be posting the biographies of other journalists and related team members in coming weeks.”

MISSION

“Our mission is to produce very relevant, uncensored (and unbiased), high-quality, old-school investigative journalism material. NUCLEAR | CHICAGO will be distributed via web, print, television mainstream media partnerships and radio partnerships.

NUCLEAR | CHICAGO is delivering the nuclear energy required to disinfect the systemic and pervasive public corruption that pollutes our city, state and our nation.

The majority of our local, state and national policy-makers have demonstrated both a lack of respect and understanding toward the U.S. Justice Louis Brandeis philosophy related to maintaining the benefits of openness and transparency in government – “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”

As both publisher and owner of NUCLEAR | CHICAGO, I invoke the above-Brandeis quote as it’s appearing that sunlight alone is ineffectual in Chicago.

To this end, the only option remaining for our city, our state and our democracy is The Nuclear Option.

NUCLEAR | CHICAGO will create effective levels of openness, transparency and accountability by simply going nuclear and reporting upon what the local and national media essentially censure and refuse to report upon.

Stay tuned and stay informed.”

http://www.nuclearchicago.com/

Thomas Bennett sent the link to the following video to me yesterday. Mr. Bennett addresses the bigger picture of Chicago, not just the Blagojevich trial, including former mayor Daley. He also provides some additional insight into the death and treatment of Christopher kelly and the mysterious deaths of others tied to Rezko and Obama.

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2010/04/23/The-B-Cast-B-Side–Blago-Connections-Raise-All-Kinds-of-Concerns

 

From Chicago Breaking News September 13, 2009.

“Flores-Buhelos initially told police that Friday night she received
text messages from Kelly — who was married but estranged from his
wife — saying that he had tried to kill himself, Welch said.

She then arrived from Chicago at the Forest Lumber Co. parking lot –
near a storage yard owned by Kelly’s company — and found Kelly inside
his car, covered in vomit. She pushed him into the passenger seat,
Welch said, and apparently drove to Oak Forest Hospital.

What happened there, and the kind of medical care Kelly received after
arriving, are among the remaining mysteries behind his death.

After initially seeming incoherent, Kelly apparently became lucid
enough to speak to police and was, at one point early Saturday
morning, stabilized.

Later that morning, his condition apparently deteriorated enough for
hospital officials to send Kelly to Stroger Hospital in Chicago, about
25 miles away from Oak Forest.

Cook County health officials said Oak Forest Hospital doctors thought
it made more sense for him to be treated at Stroger, which, unlike
their hospital, has a trauma center.

When asked why Kelly wasn’t transferred to a closer hospital, Cook
County Health and Hospitals System spokesman Lucio Guerrero said it’s
“standard procedure” to transfer patients from one county health
facility to Stroger when trauma care is needed after they have been
stabilized.

“The treatment or treatments necessary could be better facilitated at
Stroger,” wrote Marcel Bright, Stroger Hospital spokesman, in an
e-mail. “He was stabilized before being transported.”

Kelly was pronounced dead inside Stroger at 10:46 a.m. Saturday, officials said.”

http://archive.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/09/mayor-kellys-girlfriend-is-lawyered-up-not-talking.html

“He was stabilized before being transported.”

Apparently not!

Stuart Levine status hearing April 12, 2012, Levine corruption buddy of Rezko and Obama, Why hasn’t Levine been sentenced?, USDOJ protecting Obama?

Stuart Levine status hearing April 12, 2012, Levine corruption buddy of Rezko and Obama, Why hasn’t Levine been sentenced?, USDOJ protecting 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

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

Stuart Levine was just as enmeshed in corruption in Chicago, if not more, as Tony Rezko. However, I consider Rezko to be the “brains”, the chief schemer. Stuart Levine has been awaiting sentencing for many years and has not been called as a witness since the Rezko trial in early 2008. This obviously smells like the rest of the prosecution and handling of the other corruption figures tied to Obama. Is Levine being kept out of prison and away from court testimony to protect Obama?

Stuart Levine is scheduled for another status hearing on Thursday, April 12, 2012 in the courtroom of Amy J. St. Eve.

Daily Calendar

Thursday, April 12, 2012(As of 04/05/12 at 06:48:28 AM )

Honorable Amy J. St. Eve                    Courtroom 1241 (ASE

1:05-cr-00691   USA v. Levine                          08:45   Status Hearing

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

Stuart Levine Docket Entry:

“For the reasons stated in the attached minute order, the Court finds that the government’s proffer has established by a preponderance of the evidence that a conspiracy existed, and that Defendant participated in that conspiracy. Regarding certain specific statements identified in the order below, the government has further established that they were made in furtherance of the conspiracy. The Court will address any other statements at trial to the extent Defendant objects to their admissibility.”

http://www.ilnd.uscourts.gov/judge/st_eve/rezko/doc340.pdf

Alonzo Monk sentencing April 3, 2012, Rezko Blagojevich Obama crony, Chicago pay to play politics, Obama ghost of Christmas Past

Alonzo Monk sentencing April 3, 2012, Rezko Blagojevich Obama crony, Chicago pay to play politics, Obama ghost of Christmas Past

“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

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

Alonzo Monk, a Chicago corruption crony of Rezko, Blagojevich and Obama is scheduled for sentencing today, Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in the courtroom of Judge James Zagel.

Daily Calendar

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 (As of 04/03/12 at 07:46:59 AM )

Honorable James B. Zagel                    Courtroom 2503 (JBZ)

1:08-cr-00888   USA v. Monk                            01:30   Sentencing

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

Here are a few snippets of info about the activities of Alonzo Monk, Tony Rezko and Barack Obama that will help you connect the dots.

From Citizen Wells May 17, 2011. 

The link to the Chicago SunTimes apparently no longer works.

From the Chicago SunTimes May 17, 2011.

“Rod Blagojevich’s running buddy, onetime law school roommate and former chief of staff Lon Monk testified that he took $70,000 to $90,000 in cash payments from fundraiser Tony Rezko.

Monk said he took the money while he worked as chief of staff for Blagojevich and Rezko was a major fund-raiser.

Before his 2008 conviction, Rezko was a major political donor, forging ties with numerous politicos, including one Barack Obama.

The cash payments from Rezko started in May of 2004, according to Monk.

“I’d gone to him to recommend a car dealership where I could buy a particular car,” Monk said of Rezko. “He gave me that recommendation and at that time told me he wanted to help me buy the car.”

Rezko then helped him buy his car. He continued paying Monk about $10,000 in cash on different occasions. Monk did not deposit it because he didn’t want anyone seeing large cash deposits in his bank account.

Jurors heard the disclosure after Monk described how he, Blagojevich, fund-raiser Chris Kelly and Rezko were close and had met on occasion to discuss ways to make money off of state business. Monk’s testimony was not as detailed as it was in last summer’s trial, when he described Rezko at a drawing board describing ways to divvy up potential state deals. “

Read more:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/blago/2011/05/testimony_tony_rezko_gave_blag_4.html

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/05/17/lon-monk-testifies-rezko-gave-him-70000-to-90000-blagojevich-trial-testimony-may-of-2004-health-planning-board-rigging-with-obama-help/

From Citizen News March 15, 2011.

Exerpt:

2004 – 2005: (February 10, 2008 Sun-Times)

“In the media, Obama always made it sound like he rarely saw Rezko, saying they met for breakfast or lunch once or twice a year. However, the FBI mole John Thomas helped investigators “build a record of repeat visits to the old offices of Rezko and former business partner Daniel Mahru’s Rezmar Corp., at 853 N. Elston, by Blagojevich and Obama during 2004 and 2005,“
During his March 14, 2008 interview, the Times told Obama, Thomas is an FBI mole and he “recently told us that he saw you coming and going from Rezko’s office a lot.”

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

March – May 2004: (Rezko trial exhibits)
FBI chart presented to the jury on April 28, 2008, shows 257 calls from Rezko’s phones to Blagojevich’s chief of staff, Lon Monk, between March 2004 and May 2004 alone.

Click to access phone_chart_07.pdf

Exerpt:

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.”

Exerpt:

“Prosecutors contend the five members who voted for the hospital were a Levine-led bloc that Rezko had placed on the board and controlled. The two were charged with arranging to accept a kickback from the builder who was going to build the Mercy project in Crystal Lake.
The entire board was new as of the summer of 2003, Murphy said. She said she had given the new members memos on ethics, including conflicts of interest.”

Exerpt:

Dec. 7, 2008: Criminal complaint of Blagojevich. Nine individuals is important. Obama helped passed a bill to reduce the number from 15 to 9.

“b. Corruption of the Planning Board”

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

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

“Rezko” is mentioned 170 times.

Exerpt:

April 14, 2010: Evidentiary Proffer include 9 members statement.

“During the relevant time period, the Planning Board consisted of nine individuals.”

“Rezko was able to obtain significant influence over the affairs of the Planning Board by arranging for Blagojevich to appoint five of Rezko’s associates and/or friends, including Levine, as members of the Planning Board in 2003.”

“Rezko” is mentioned 288 times.

https://citizenwells.com/2011/03/15/justice-department-protecting-obama-evidence-evidentiary-proffer-blagojevich-prosecution-delayed-and-manipulated-collusion/

 

Obama John Glennon both damaged IL TRS, Teachers Retirement System, Glennon on TRS board, Glencoe Capri Capital, Obama doing to US what he did to Illinois

Obama John Glennon both damaged IL TRS, Teachers Retirement System, Glennon on TRS board, Glencoe Capri Capital, Obama doing to US what he did to Illinois

“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

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

Obama, Blagojevich and their cronies used the citizens of Illinois, Teachers Retirement System, hospitals and taxpayer dollars for their own benefit.

John Glennon, one of the lesser known and underreported corruption buddies was recently given a slap on the wrist.

From the Chicago Tribune July 21, 2005.
“A one-time top adviser to former Gov. George Ryan was charged Wednesday with aiding and abetting an alleged fraud on a suburban Chicago medical school by acting as a middleman in a kickback scheme.

John Glennon, an influential Republican real estate consultant, helped conceal kickbacks totaling $700,000 paid by the owner of a construction firm, authorities charged. The construction firm won an $18 million contract to build an addition at the school.

The indictment alleged that Stuart Levine, then on the board of the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science in North Chicago and a friend of Glennon’s, extorted the kickbacks in 2001 as the price to win the construction contract.

To conceal the fraud, Jacob Kiferbaum, the construction firm owner, used a sham marketing contract to steer the kickbacks to Glennon’s consulting company, North American Capital Opportunities, until early 2004, the charges alleged.

Levine, a wealthy Republican insider, and Kiferbaum, who was also on the medical school’s board, were initially indicted in May for that fraud and other schemes. Glennon was added Thursday to the indictment. He was charged with three counts of aiding and abetting Levine in the one scheme.”

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-07-21/news/0507210141_1_indictment-john-glennon-scheme

From Citizen Wells March 26, 2012.

“John Glennon, a former top aide to imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, leaves the Dirksen Federal Building after his sentencing was continued on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Glennon pleaded guilty and cooperated with authorities about his role in helping cover up kickbacks involving Stuart Levine under Blagojevich.

A federal judge in Chicago said Wednesday he has no intention of sending businessman John Glennon, a lesser-known figure caught up in the corruption scandal involving former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, to prison.

U.S. District Judge John Grady told Glennon he would delay his sentencing until April 9 and that he plans to sentence him then to probation and community service.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/obama-corruption-pals-in-news-john-glennon-gets-no-time-john-harris-and-alonzo-monk-sentenced-this-week-rep-aaron-schock-il-obama-ties-to-chicago-machine/

Connecting the dots.

What do Obama and John Glennon have in common aside from associations with Stuart Levine and other Chicago corruption figures?

Involvement with the IL TRS, Teachers Retirement System.

What else do they have in common?

They were both involved with the TRS in 2002 and 2003.

What is significant about these years?

2003: “Of the five funds, the one in the sorriest shape is the Illinois Teacher Retirement System, which provides the pensions for suburban and downstate teachers. Its ratio of assets to liabilities stood at a mere 52 percent last year, so poor that it was considered among the five worst-funded plans in the country.”

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/The-312/March-2011/Illinois-Teacher-Pensions-Always-in-Distress-Mode/

From the LA Times April 7, 2008.

In 2002, the year after Obama made the pitch, the Illinois Teacher Retirement System reported an 18% increase in assets managed by minority-owned firms. Ariel’s share grew to $442 million by 2005.

In 2006, after the federal investigation became public, the teacher pension board severed its relationship with Ariel, concluding that Ariel’s investment returns were insufficient.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/04/obamarezko.html

From the Common Conservative October 1, 2008.

“On Feb. 10, 2007, Senator Barack Obama launched his bid for the White House in Springfield, setting himself on a course that has become one for the history books. But Obama might not have made it even to the Old State Capitol Building that frigid day if not for a private meeting he had with friends and advisers in late 2002 as he was mulling a run for the U.S. Senate. In a South Side high-rise overlooking the lake, the junior state senator vetted his lofty political ambitions with a group of Chicago’s African American business elite that included Frank M. Clark Jr., Valerie B. Jarrett, Quintin E. Primo III, James Reynolds Jr., and John W. Rogers Jr.”
http://thecommonconservative.com/?p=161

From Citizen News June 15, 2010.
“Today, Tuesday, June 15, 2010, testimony in the Rod Blagojevich trial continues. Joseph Aramanda, with ties to Blagojevich, Rezko and Obama is expected to testify soon.”

“Rezko’s partner in the Rezmar development company, Daniel Mahru, is referred to as “Individual Z” in the indictment, and according to court filings, Rezko told Mahru that “$500 million” of TRS money was earmarked for their company. Mahru is reportedly cooperating with federal investigators.”

“In addition to lining their own pockets, the money gained through the scheme was funneled to the campaigns of Blagojevich and Obama. Prosecutors have identified two $10,000 payments that were made to Obama’s US Senate campaign through straw donors Joseph Aramanda and Elie Maloof, which originated from a kickback paid by investment firm, Glencoe Capital, to secure approval for a $50 million deal.
Aramanda and Maloof also each gave Obama $1,000 for his failed run for Congress in 2000. Once Obama became a US Senator, Aramanda’s son was granted a coveted intern position in Obama’s Senate office in Washington during the summer of 2005, based on a request which the Obama’s camp has admitted came from Rezko.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2010/06/15/blagojevich-trial-joseph-aramanda-testifies-soon-aramanda-linked-to-blagojevich-rezko-obama-open-thread-june-15-2010/

Perhaps you have not seen this.

“Glencoe Capital Partners

On a motion by Cynthia O’Neill, seconded by Stuart Levine, it was resolved:

To invest $25 million in Glencoe Capital Partners III, L.P. and invest up to $25 million to Glencoe Capital Institutional Partners III, L.P., subject to the satisfactory completion of contract and fee negotiations. Source of funds will be the TRS Cash Flow account.
Minutes – Board Meeting

August 15, 2003
Page 6

Roll call resulted in affirmative voice votes from Trustees Bruner, Cleveland, Glennon, Klickna, Leggett, Levine, O’Neill, Phalen, and Schmidt. Motion CARRIED.”

For more information about Obama’s impact on the TRS:

“In 2000, after losing a Congressional race, Barack Obama was looking to revive his political fortunes. And he soon found a springboard — a group of black entrepreneurs also trying to break out.

Month after month, Mr. Obama, then an Illinois state senator, showed up at the Chicago group’s meetings, listening to members’ concerns about the difficulties they faced in getting government and corporate business, and asking them what he could do to help.

And help them he did. Members of the group, the Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs, say Mr. Obama checked into their problems and helped start a drive that enabled minority investment executives to win millions of dollars in business from the state’s giant pension funds.”

“Mr. Obama also recently pointed to his work on the Illinois pension issue as a model for what he would do as president to promote minority-owned companies.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/obama-role-in-corrupting-il-teacher-retirement-system-pensions-cellini-trial-2007-ny-times-article-where-is-tony-rezko-where-is-house-judiciary-committee/

 

Obama corruption pals in news, John Glennon gets no time, John Harris and Alonzo Monk sentenced this week, Rep Aaron Schock Il Obama ties to Chicago machine

Obama corruption pals in news, John Glennon gets no time, John Harris and Alonzo Monk sentenced this week, Rep Aaron Schock Il Obama ties to Chicago machine

“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

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

From the Chicago SunTimes March 21, 2012.

“Judge: I won’t send former Blagojevich aide to prison”

“John Glennon, a former top aide to imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, leaves the Dirksen Federal Building after his sentencing was continued on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Glennon pleaded guilty and cooperated with authorities about his role in helping cover up kickbacks involving Stuart Levine under Blagojevich.

A federal judge in Chicago said Wednesday he has no intention of sending businessman John Glennon, a lesser-known figure caught up in the corruption scandal involving former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, to prison.

U.S. District Judge John Grady told Glennon he would delay his sentencing until April 9 and that he plans to sentence him then to probation and community service.

Glennon was charged in 2005 with covering up kickbacks involving state boards controlled by insiders connected to the now-imprisoned Blagojevich.

In 2007, Glennon pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony, a crime that carries a maximum three-year prison term.”

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/11442207-418/sentencing-wednesday-in-blagojevich-related-case.html

More on John Glennon later.

From the Chicago SunTimes March 19, 2012.

“Five snared with Blago to be sentenced in next three months”

“With Rod Blagojevich now in prison, five others snared in the investigation that put the ex-governor behind bars are to be sentenced soon. All but one, William Cellini, has pleaded guilty. Wednesday:

John Glennon, a former adviser to now-imprisoned ex-Gov. George Ryan, is to be sentenced for covering up kickbacks that involved Stuart Levine, convicted of corrupting two state boards Blagojevich controlled.

March 28: John Harris, Blagojevich’s former chief of staff, is to be sentenced after admitting he helped Blagojevich try to sell an appointment to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.

March 29: Alonzo ‘Lon’ Monk, another former Blagojevich chief of staff, is to be sentenced after testifying that he schemed with Blagojevich to get rich off state deals.

June 14: Ali Ata, former head of the Illinois Finance Authority, is to be sentenced after admitting he lied to the FBI when he said that campaign contributions he had made to Blagojevich didn’t help him land his state job.

June 15: Cellini, a longtime political power broker, is to be sentenced for attempting to extort $1.5 million for Blagojevich’s campaign fund.”

http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/11344455-452/five-snared-with-blago-to-be-sentenced-in-next-three-months.html

From the Huffington Post March 21, 2012.

“Aaron Schock Links Obama ‘Team’ To Blagojevich On ‘Morning Joe'”

“U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Tuesday and criticized President Obama’s ties to what he called the “Chicago machine,” claiming that the president is aligned with the same political forces who helped elect former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

“Illinois voters, even the most conservative ones, understand Barack Obama better than probably most of the nation, not only because they know President Obama but they also know his team that is really kind of the Chicago machine apparatus who’s run statewide elections here in Illinois for decades,” Schock explained.

“Many of these folks were the same ones that were able to get Governor Blagojevich re-elected to his second term,” the congressman continued. “They know how to run tough and dirty campaigns and we know whoever we nominate is going to go up against President Obama’s stated goal which is a billion dollars in [his] campaign war chest.””

“Tuesday did not mark the first time Schock has slammed “Chicago-style politics.” While campaigning for Romney in Iowa last year, he commented that, “being in Iowa, you know what it means to be a Chicago politician. You know what kind of races Chicago politicians run.””

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/21/aaron-schock-on-morning-j_n_1370389.html

In Case you don’t know “what kind of races Chicago politicians run.

From an interview of hollywood producer Bettina Viviano.

 

Obama corruption buddies Blagojevich and Frawley aka Ghosts of Christmas Past, Chicago corruption ties persist, Obama lies and corruption ties

Obama corruption buddies Blagojevich and Frawley aka Ghosts of Christmas Past, Chicago corruption ties persist, Obama lies and corruption ties

“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

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

Some would have you simply focus on the damage done to this country by Obama and his pals. Jobs, economy, gas prices , food prices, constitution trampling, etc. This is all worthy of our attention. It is also a function of the man and where he came from. One cannot separate one aspect of Obama’s actions from his past, his persona. Obama’s corruption ties, his hidden past are crucial to understanding why he behaves the way he does. And most importantly, if he is not eligible for the POTUS, the damage he has done and can do, must be stopped asap.

We now have a retired government employee willing to testify about Obama’s past. This witness, along with evidence gathered by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, proves that Obama is guilty.

Obama is either guilty of not being eligible for the POTUS, fraud in pretending to be a foreign student, or both.

Ghost of Christmas past Rod Blagojevich.

From My Fox Chicago March 15, 2012.

“Attorney Sam Adam Jr., who defended convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich at his first trial, said it was a sad day Thursday as Blagojevich reported to federal prison.

Adam Jr. said he still wished he and his father could have done more to defend Blagojevich, who he says is innocent, at his corruption trial.

Sam Adam Sr. talks to Blagojevich every day and calls him son, Adam Jr. said.

Adam Jr. said if all the tapes would be played in context, Blagojevich would be exonerated. He was hopeful that when the appeals court heard all the tapes, his conviction would be overturned.

Federal Judge James Zagel has put a protective order on the tapes, Adam Jr. said, so he couldn’t say exactly what is on the nearly 400 hours of recording that will clear Blagojevich’s name.”

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/rod_blagojevich/rod-blagojevich-prison-sam-adam-jr-appeals-process-tapes-play-20120315

From some of the wiretaps released we learn:

From Illinois Pay To Play March 20, 2012.

“Illinois PayToPlay has learned that, in addition to the Postman video recently released by Jerome Corsi on World Net Daily, Corsi also holds a 2011 recorded interview with former Rezko associate Daniel T. Frawley.

The recording was made late last year in Chicago in a meeting that involved Corsi, Frawley and three other persons who gathered to discuss the possibility of writing a book.

The recording reportedly includes a description of how, in 2004, during Nadhmi Auchi’s visit to Chicago, Auchi, Antoin “Tony” Rezko, and Barack Obama met in the basement “cigar room” inside Rezko’s 30-room mansion in Wilmette, Illinois where they discussed, among other things, the purchase of a 62-acres plot in the South Loop.”

Read more:

http://illinoispaytoplay.com/2012/03/20/besides-the-postman-video-jerome-corsi-has-another-about-obama/

From RBO2 March 20, 2012.

“It’s time for Dan Frawley to sing”

“Nearly a year ago I wrote an update on Daniel T. Frawley of Companion Security fame and the plan to fly Iraqi trainees to Illinois to be trained as security guards for a power plant to be built at Chamchamal in Kurdish Northern Iraq.

This was the little scheme dating from sometime in 2005 that involved then-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, then-Senator Barack Obama, then-Illinois Homeland Security advisor Jill Morgenthaler, Obama’s then-personal real estate fairy and political cash bagman Tony Rezko, Rezko’s Chicago pal and personal bail bondsman (and former Iraqi Minister of Electricity) Aiham Alsammarae, and British-Iraqi billionaire businessman (and one of Carter-Ruck’s frequent-flyer clients) Nadhmi Auchi.

Companion Security was co-owned by Frawley and Rezko, who was convicted in June 2008 (and reportedly continued to “cooperate” with the Feds for some time).

While this is a long and sordid tale — it seems the Feds have never gotten around to completing that December 2006 investigation into the power plant venture. Meanwhile, many of the players and their antics keep surfacing, such as Dan Frawley.”

Read more:

http://rbo2.com/2012/03/20/vettheprez-its-time-for-dan-frawley-to-sing/

Where is Stuart Levine?

Obama Rezko Daniel Frawley $ 400000 reported in NC by John Hammer, Rhino Times, FDIC lawsuit against Mutual Bank ties Obama to Rezko Chicago corruption

Obama Rezko Daniel Frawley $ 400000 reported in NC by John Hammer, Rhino Times, FDIC lawsuit against Mutual Bank ties Obama to Rezko Chicago corruption

“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

“Why did Daniel Frawley provide $ 400,000 for Tony Rezko to give to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

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

John Hammer, Editor and Publisher of the Rhino (Rhinoceros) Times, is a good man. He is also a rare commodity these days. He has consistently put into print in NC articles that are critical of Barack Obama. I met with John last year and I was just thinking I should meet with him again about the possibility of a larger, real news organization. I finally got around to reading his latest opinions in “Under the Hammer.” I was pleased as usual but even more so because he quoted Illinois Pay to Play, a site that Citizen Wells has quoted and been quoted at. John Hammer, in print in North Carolina, the state that is hosting the Democrat Convention, has covered the Daniel Frawley $400,000 for Rezko to give to Obama.

From the Rhino Times March 08, 2012.

“Isn’t it funny what the mainstream media decides is news? According to the website Illinoispaytoplay.com, Obama has been implicated in the investigation of Obama’s good friend Tony Rezko, who has been convicted and sentenced to 10-and-a-half years for corruption involving, among others, Obama’s good friend former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption.

Before Blagojevich was caught trying to sell Obama’s Senate seat, Obama bragged about running Blagojevich’s campaign and getting him elected.

Rezko, or to be more precise Rezko’s wife, bought the lot next door to Obama’s house in Chicago on the same day that Obama bought the house. And while Obama paid less than the asking price for the house, the Rezkos paid the full asking price for the lot. Later the Rezkos sold part of the lot to the Obamas for less than they had paid for it.

But according to Illinoispaytoplay.com, a witness being deposed as part of the investigation said that he gave Rezko $400,000 to give to Obama. Since Obama happens to be the most powerful man in the world, it seems like people who were known to deal with corrupt politicians claiming to have given money to Rezko for Obama would be news, but for some reason the mainstream media have decided that it is not.”

“It has become accepted by everyone except diehard supporters of other candidates that Romney is going to win the nomination. Romney doesn’t have anywhere near the votes he needs to win at the convention, but he has more than twice as many as Santorum, who is the only candidate who is even close. While Gingrich shot himself in the foot, and it felt so good that he shot himself in the other foot.

No one seems to be able to withstand the withering attack ads that Romney focuses on the front-runner. That is actually a good sign because Romney is not going to beat Obama unless he is willing to go on the attack. Romney is going to have to attack early and often. Romney will be called a racist, not just by Obama but by the liberal media, and they won’t relent. But he isn’t going to get that vote anyway.

It will be interesting to see what Obama does long term if Romney runs a real campaign against him. The closest Obama has come to a real campaign was his race against Hillary Clinton, and by the time Hillary Clinton knew what hit her she had lost and attacking Obama would have only made her look bad.

One thing Romney should do is release every single bit of information that exists about himself and his family. If he has his first grade report card he should put it out there for everyone to examine. The public knows very little about Obama. He is president of the United States. I’d like to read his senior thesis or something that indicates his thought process as a young man. I’d be interested to know how he got to Columbia University, and the answer to the overriding question of did he play freshman basketball at Occidental College. (If he did not, why did a respectable newspaper like the Los Angeles Times report that he did?)

According to Wikipedia, Obama’s parents didn’t live together even before his father was accepted at Harvard and moved east. The story is always told of his father getting accepted to Harvard and leaving his wife (who was still a teenager) and child. But according to Wikipedia his mother attended the University of Washington in Seattle after Barack Jr. was born until Barack Obama Sr. left for Harvard. She then transferred back to the University of Hawaii. If that is true it certainly puts Barack Obama Sr. in a different light.

It is the kind of fact that the American people ordinarily know about their presidents.”

Read more:

http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/Articles-Columns-c-2012-03-07-211274.112113-Under-the-Hammer.html

It is past time for another meeting with John Hammer to discuss the possibility of a real news organization and to bring him up to speed on the rest of the Obama Rezko corruption. For example the FDIC lawsuit against Mutual Bank, which is currently underway. The bank that loaned money to Rita Rezko for the lot the Obama’s bought. The same bank that fired whistleblower Kenneth J. Connor . Connor stated that the appraisal for the lot was to high.

Hats off to John.

Blagojevich prepares for prison, Public statement coming, More pristine on Rezko than Obama, Obama chaired IL committee that allowed planning board rigging

Blagojevich prepares for prison, Public statement coming, More pristine on Rezko than Obama, Obama chaired IL committee that allowed planning board rigging

“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

“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

Rod Blagojevich, who is appealing his conviction for longtime corruption in Chicago and IL, is preparing for his prison sentence that begins next week.

From Chicago Argus March 9, 2012.

“Seven more days for 40892-424”

“One week from now, federal inmate number 40892-424 will have gone through orientation and will have completed his first night in prison – a lifestyle that he’s going to have to endure for just over a decade.

That inmate, of course, is Rod Blagojevich, who has to report to prison (possibly a minimum-security facility in Colorado) come Thursday. Which means he’s now going through his final week of freedom.

EVERYTHING HE DOES in coming days will take on the aura of “one last time” – both for himself and for his family.

It even seems that we’re going to get “one last statement” from Blagojevich. The Associated Press reported that a Blagojevich “spokesman” said the former governor himself will make some sort of public statement some time in coming days.

Then, he will go off to prison – which makes me wonder if his final day of freedom will resemble the scenes in the film “Goodfellas” where actor Ray Liotta’s “Henry Hill” character engaged in a final party of booze and drugs and floozies, only to climb into a limousine and tell the driver, “Now, take me to jail.”

Although as much as I might joke here, and some people will eagerly be awaiting this week with glee (a fact that still bothers me more than anything Blagojevich might have actually done while in public office), the truth is that there really is nothing funny about what is going to happen a week from now.

HE’S STILL A human being, and he will have a wife and two daughters who will be devastated by what will happen. I’m not about to start up the charity fund for the family Blagojevich. But we shouldn’t overlook the loss that is created by a 14-year prison term (even if that translates into 11-plus years of REAL time).

Which is why I can’t help but feel a bit of sympathy these days. But not so much sympathy that I really care much what Blagojevich has to say in a final statement. In fact, a part of me desperately wants to ignore whatever the former governor has to say for his final words as a “free” man.

Because I’m convinced that if we really wanted to inflict a “blow” to the ego of Blagojevich, we’d blow it off. We wouldn’t cover it. We would let his statement twist in the wind, and we’d seriously debate that old philosophical cliché, “If a tree falls in the forest but no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

If Blagojevich speaks and no one records it, does it really matter?

BECAUSE I CAN’T really envision anything he’d say that needs to be recorded for posterity. He still thinks he ‘didn’t do it.’ He’s been framed?”

http://chicagoargus.blogspot.com/2012/03/seven-more-days-for-40892-424.html

Actually, Blagojevich has said plenty before and since he has been screwed over by Obama, I would be willing to bet he will say more. Perhaps when his appeal process evolves further.

Chicago most corrupt city in US, University of Illinois report, Illinois third most corrupt state, Obama most corrupt politician in Washington DC

Chicago most corrupt city in US, University of Illinois report, Illinois third most corrupt state, Obama most corrupt politician in Washington DC

“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

“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 a report published by the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Political Science and the Illinois Integrity Initiative of the University of Illinois’ Institute for Government and Public Affairs on February 15, 2012.

“Chicago and Illinois,
Leading the Pack in Corruption”

“For a century and a half, public corruption has been a shameful aspect of both
Illinois and Chicago politics. The Governor’s mansion and Chicago City Council
Chambers have long been the epicenters of public corruption. The extent and
pervasiveness of bribery, fraud, stealing from the taxpayers, and illegal patronage have made the city and state national leaders of corruption. Our notorious reputations have provided fodder for scores of comedians and late night talk show hosts. But corruption is a serious problem that hurts all citizens who put their trust – and tax dollars – in the hands of politicians who abuse the power they are given.

New public corruption conviction data from the U.S. Department of Justice shows the Chicago metropolitan region has been the most corrupt area in the country since 1976. In addition, the data reveal that Illinois is the third most corrupt state in the nation. The latest information, just released by the Justice Department, provides new evidence of the need for reforms to reduce rampant corruption in Chicago and Illinois.”

“Capital City of Corruption

Not to be outdone, the City of Chicago has seen its share of convicted officials.
The first conviction of Chicago aldermen and Cook County Commissioners for accepting bribes to rig a crooked contract occurred in1869. Since 1973, 31 more aldermen have been convicted of corruption. Approximately 100 aldermen have served since then, which is a conviction rate of about one-third.”

“In the case of Rod Blagojevich, an attempt was made to extract payment or campaign donations in exchange for appointment to a United States Senate seat. He also created a culture of corruption involving appointments to boards and commissions, campaign contributions and permits to expand hospitals. While Blagojevich represents the most egregious case, at the heart of most convictions is a payoff for something that is a sweetheart contract or a law or permit necessary to do business. This has been the main pattern of corruption in the city and the state for over 150 years.

Recent conviction data shows that the Chicago is the most corrupt area in the
United States, and the State of Illinois is the third most corrupt state.”

“Conclusion

Corruption is not funny and it is not free. It costs the taxpayers of Illinois more
than $500 million per year. Governor Blagojevich’s well-publicized corruption antics led to a lowering of the state’s bond rating, which cost the state more than $20 million during its last bond issue. Corruption also takes time and resources away from police and prosecutors. Blagojevich’s first trial cost tens of millions of dollars to investigate and prosecute, and after a hung jury resulted in a retrial, the taxpayers footed the bill for Blagojevich’s new attorneys. And so it goes – in a time of deep budget deficits, we are wasting taxpayer money and raising taxes and fees on citizens who can ill afford to pay for corruption any longer.

What has come to be called “The Chicago Way” or “The Illinois Way” of public
corruption has undermined the in voters’ sense of political efficacy. Why apply for a city or state job if you know only patronage employees or politician’s relatives will be hired anyway? Why report corrupt officials, if you know they won’t be punished and they may turn the powers of the government on you? Voters may laugh at times at the antics of public officials, but in the end, they feel powerless, lose their faith in government and vote less often because they believe the “fix is in.””

http://cbschicago.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/leadingthepack.pdf

And speaking of Chicago corruption and the most corrupt politician in Washington, DC, Barack Obama….

From Illinois Pay to Play March 1, 2012.

“Since at least last January 22nd, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has known of Daniel Frawley’s claim that he gave Tony Rezko $400,000 in cash that Rezko then passed on to U.S. Senator Barack Obama. We believe, though, that that knowledge goes back much earlier.

In a December 11, 2011 Illinois Pay To Play (IP2P) article entitled “The Fitz Solution to Corruption: The Citizens Report It,” we noted that “While commenting on Blago’s prison sentence, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald repeated what has become for him a common theme: Illinois citizens are responsible for stopping corruption by reporting it to the authorities.”

Along with that article, IP2P posted a video clip wherein Fitzgerald stated that there needed to “be a change in the public’s attitude. People seem resigned to corruption at times and…they’re afraid to say ‘no’ when someone in power asks them for something they shouldn’t. The people in power should be afraid to ask.”

So it’s a fact that the U.S. Attorney has, on several occasions, encouraged average citizens to get involved in fighting corruption.

Well, we found one citizen who did just that, back on January 22nd – six weeks ago. Here’s the email thread the citizen sent.

From: Address Deleted
To: “Randall Samborn” <Address Deleted@usdoj.gov>, “Kimberly Nerheim” <Adress Deleted@usdoj.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 9:15:44 PM
Subject: Public outreach/safety.

Mr Randall Samborn and Ms. Kimberly Nerheim

I am more than a little concerned by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s complete lack of response to the serious matter that has been brought to his attention below. Mr. Fitzgerald made a very public outreach encouraging people to report corruption to his office. Hopefully he will not disappoint those he urged to risk so much ?

Concerned Citizen

XXXXXXXXXXXXX”

“Mr. Randall Samborn

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has repeatedly challenged the public to do something about corruption in Illinois by bringing information of illegal acts directly to him. Mr. Samborn, while I agree the premise of reporting crime to the U.S. Attorney is a logical step in fighting corruption, I do not underestimate the serious danger those who do are put in.

Need I remind you, it was also Patrick Fitzgerald who acknowledged that his office may be the source for information being leaked to the very criminals he urges the public to inform on. With this in mind, please personally hand a copy of this email to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and ask him to personally send me a response addressing concerns I have about his office and my personal safety. At the very least Mr Fitzgerald can acknowledge the risk I am taking exposing corruption at the highest levels.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

> ———- Forwarded message ———-
> From: Dan Frawley <Address Deleted@gmail.com>
> Date: Tue, 31 May 2011 08:08:15 -0500
> Subject: Frawely vs Weaver
> To: XXXXX XXXXX <XXXXXXXX@gmail.com>
>
> Hi XXXX
> I think the best way to bring this to the public and media is to fact
> plead
> the malpractice case against Weaver.
> I have discussed this with my attorney’s and they are willing to do it at
> the right time and way.
> Instead of a news conference being called like the gay guy did with Obama.
> PUT AS THE GUTS OF THE SUIT THE MEETING AT THE FOUR SEASONS AND THE 4OO
> GRAND GOING TO YOU KNOW WHO AND THE USE OF THE MONEY.
> I would bring this out in the for of a legal action not a personal
> vendetta.
> The media with the right reporters would make sure that was national news.
> When the usual denials are made or the old I don’t remember I hit him with
> the second naming names dates and places.
> Punches are always more effective when thrown in combination.
> know we figure out the best timing.
> DAN

And in response, what did the citizen hear back from the U.S. Attorney’s office?

Absolute silence.”

Read more:

http://illinoispaytoplay.com/2012/03/01/u-s-attorney-fitzgerald-has-known-of-frawleys-obama-bribe-accusation/

It is time for Barack Hussein Obama to be arrested.