Category Archives: William Cellini

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?

Tony Rezko sentencing remains October 21, 2011, Rezko not called at Blagojevich trial, William Cellini trial?

Tony Rezko sentencing remains October 21, 2011, Rezko not called at Blagojevich trial, William Cellini trial?

“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

“Illinois is Six Degrees of Bill Cellini.”…John Kass, Chicago Tribune

From the Chicago Tribune August 16, 2011.

 “Convicted influence peddler Rezko still on for sentencing just weeks after ex-Gov. Blagojevich”

“A convicted influence peddler remains on track to be sentenced weeks after his one-time benefactor, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Prosecutors said at a status hearing Tuesday that they want to stick with an Oct. 21 sentencing date for Tony Rezko.

The government has portrayed Rezko as the ultimate insider who pulled strings in Blagojevich’s administration.

A jury convicted Rezko in 2008 of squeezing kickbacks from businessmen eager to land state contracts.

The 56-year-old appeared at Tuesday’s hearing in jail clothes and chains binding his ankles. He smiled weakly and waived at relatives on courtroom benches.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/sns-ap-il–blagojevichtrial-rezko,0,1617012.story

Why does the Chicago Tribune not mention the William Cellini trial scheduled for October 3, 2011?

William Cellini was mentioned numerous times during the Tony Rezko trial in early 2008. Cellini was indicted in October 2008.

Press release

http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2008/pr1030_01.pdf

Indictment

http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2008/pr1030_01a.pdf

 
Cellini 101

Obama budget ceiling manufactured crisis, Americans pay attention!, Economy Jobs Rezko Birth Certificate Communist Party ACORN

Obama budget ceiling manufactured crisis, Americans pay attention!, Economy Jobs Rezko Birth Certificate Communist Party ACORN

“Why has Obama, since taking the White House, used Justice Department Attorneys, at taxpayer expense,  to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells and millions of concerned Americans

“As the crisis develops, it will be important to use the mass media to inform the broader llberal community about the inefficiencies and injustices of welfare. For example, the system will not be able to process many new applicants because of cumbersome and often unconstitutional investigatory procedures (which cost 20c for every dollar disbursed). As delays mount, so should the public demand that a simplified affidavit supplant these procedures, so that the
poor may certify to their condition. If the system reacts by making the proof of eligibility more difficult, the demand should be made that the Department of Health, Education and Welfare dispatch “eligibility registrars” to enforce federal statutes governing local programs. And throughout the crisis, the mass media should be used to advance arguments for a new federal income distribution program.”…Richard Cloward and Frances Piven

The so called budget crisis, debt ceiling negotiations, were custom made and one could say custom designed by Obama, et al. Never let a good crisis go to waste. The budget is a serious matter. We must take it seriously. However, aside from the socialist, radical tactics of the Obama camp, we still have someone occupying the White House, at the controls of the most powerful office on the planet.

How has the budget crisis benefited Obama?

  • Obama has used this as a pulpit to lie to the American people about his opposition and what he has done for the economy.
  • Focus is taken off his fraudulent birth certificate.
  • Focus is taken off his natural born citizen deficiency.
  • Focus is taken off of the financial markets.
  • Focus is taken off the jobs reports.
  • And….a two for one for Obama. More budget spending for ACORN affiliated groups that few notice because of the diversions.

I am relieved that some  are paying attention to the radicals being funded and enabled by the Obama camp.

From Fox News July 06, 2011.

“A conservative watchdog group is accusing President Obama of violating a funding ban that he signed into law that prohibits the flow of federal money to the now-defunct community activist group ACORN or any of its affiliates.

Judicial Watch says that in March, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued nearly $80,000 in grants to Affordable Housing Centers of America (AHCOA), which the groups says is an offshoot of ACORN.

“This was an ACORN affiliate at the time of the funding ban and it has not changed in sum or substance since then,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told Fox News in an interview. “The funding ban was violated and the administration is calling these new entities. It just doesn’t pass the laugh test.”

But Alyson Chadwick, a spokeswoman for AHCOA, denied any connection to ACORN.

“We are not an affiliate, subsidiary or ally of ACORN,” she told FoxNews.com. “Both the GAO and HUD’s General Counsel have done exhaustive work and come to the same conclusion.””

“Judicial Watch senior investigator Sean Dunagan told Fox News that the GAO ruling used “strained logic.”

The group says the government’s website listing federal expenditures identifies the organization receiving the $79,810 grant as “ACORN Housing Corporation Inc.” and lists ACORN’s New Orleans address.

The group also says that ACHOA maintains the same board of directors, executive director and offices as ACORN Housing.

The group also notes that a HUD general counsel report from September 2010 says that ACORN Housing is “now operating as Affordable Housing Centers of America” and has misappropriated funds from a $3.2 million federal grant.

Although Dunagan admits no laws were broken, he says the bigger issue is the politicization at GAO.

The once powerful ACORN fell on hard times after a series of undercover videos showed its employees offering tax advice to a couple posing as a pimp and prostitute, tarnishing the group’s reputation and crippling its source of funding.

Congress passed and Obama signed into law the Defund ACORN Act in 2009 that yanked the organization’s federal funding. After private donors held back cash, the group shut down in April 2010.

“Certainly the intent of Congress was not to allow ACORN to change its name and get money,” Fitton said.”

Read more:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/07/06/obama-violates-acorn-funding-ban-with-housing-grant-to-offshoot-watchdog-says/#ixzz1RNKp3ID9

And just in case you are wondering. I am still reporting on Obama’s ghosts of Christmas past. That includes Blagojevich, Rezko, Cellini and Daniel Frawley.

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

Tony Rezko key witness, Rezko tied to Obama Blagojevich Cellini, Legal documents reveal ties

Tony Rezko key witness, Rezko tied to Obama Blagojevich Cellini, Legal documents reveal ties

“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

“Illinois is Six Degrees of Bill Cellini.”…John Kass, Chicago Tribune

“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

In case you have forgotten or not seen this, here are some exerpts from the subpoena of Barack Obama issued by the Blagojevich defense team in 2010.

“Case 1:08-cr-00888 Document 327 Filed 04/22/10 Page 1 of 11
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA )
                         )
v.                       ) 08CR888
                         )
                         ) Judge James B. Zagel
ROD BLAGOJEVICH          )

MOTION FOR THE COURT TO ISSUE A TRIAL SUBPOENA TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Now Comes Defendant Rod Blagojevich, by and through his counsels and hereby requests this court issue a subpoena ad testificandum for President Barack Obama.”

“21. Tony Rezko is one of the government’s main witnesses.8 Mr. Rezko’s credibility is extremely relevant in this trial. In many instances, Mr. Rezko is the government’s crucial witness to prove up their allegations.9 Mr. Rezko wrote a letter to a federal judge stating “the prosecutors have been overzealous in pursuing a crime that never happened. They are pressuring me to tell them the “wrong” things that I supposedly know about Governor Blagojevich and Senator Obama. I have never been a party to any wrongdoing that involved the Governor or the Senator. I will never fabricate lies about anyone else for selfish purposes.” (Exhibit A)
22. However, the defense has a good faith belief that Mr. Rezko, President Obama’s former friend, fund-raiser, and neighbor told the FBI and the United States Attorneys a different story about President Obama. In a recent in camera proceeding, the government tendered a three paragraph letter indicating that Rezko “has stated in interviews with the government that he engaged in election law violations by personally contributing a large sum of cash to the campaign of a public official who is not Rod Blagojevich. … Further, the public official denies being aware of cash contributions to his campaign by Rezko or others and denies having conversations with Rezko related to cash contributions. … Rezko has also stated in interviews with the government that he believed he transmitted a quid pro quo offer from a lobbyist to the public official, whereby the lobbyist would hold a fundraiser for the official in exchange for favorable official action, but that the public official rejected the offer. The public official denies any such
conversation. In addition, Rezko has stated to the government that he and the
public official had certain conversations about gaming legislation and
administration, which the public official denies having had.”10

23. President Obama is the only one who can testify as to the veracity of Mr. Rezko’s allegations above.

24. President Obama has pertinent information as to the character of Mr. Rezko. President Obama can testify to Mr. Rezko’s reputation for truthfulness as well as his own opinion of Mr. Rezko’s character. See, Fed. R. Evid. 405(a) and 608. Mr. Rezko and President Obama became friends in 1990. According to President Obama, Mr. Rezko raised as much as $60,000 in campaign contributions for Obama.11

25. Based on the relationship that President Obama and Mr. Rezko had, President Obama can provide important information as to Mr. Rezko’s plan, intent, opportunity, habit and modus operandi. See, Fed. R. Evid. 404(b) and 406. For example, in June 2005, President Obama purchased a house for $1.65 million, $300,000 below the asking price. On the same day Tony Rezko’s wife, Rita, paid full price — $625,000 — for the adjoining land. In January 2006, Obama paid Mr. Rezko $104,500 for a strip of the adjoining land. The transaction took place when it was widely known that Mr. Rezko was under investigation.12 President Obama’s relationship with Tony Rezko is
relevant and necessary Fed. R. Evid. 404(b) and 406 evidence.”

“10 The defense has a good faith belief that this public official is Barack Obama. See, “Obama on Rezko deal: It was a mistake”, Dave McKinney, Chris Fusco, and Mark Brown, Chicago Sun Times, November 5, 2006. Senator Barack Obama was asked: “Did Rezko or his companies ever solicit your support on any matter involving state or federal government? Did Al Johnson, who was trying to get a casino license along with Tony Rezko, or Rezko himself ever discuss casino matters with you?” Senator Obama answered: “No, I have never been asked to do anything to advance his business interest. In 1999, when I was a State Senator, I opposed legislation to bring a casino to Rosemont and allow casino gambling at docked riverboats which news reports said Al Johnson and Tony
Rezko were interested in being part of. I never discussed a casino license with either of them. I was a vocal opponent of the legislation.” Obama’s involvement with Tony Rezko and this legislation coincides with the three paragraph summary the government has provided to the defense referenced above.”

http://media.apps.chicagotribune.com/docs/obama-subpoena.html

Where is Tony Rezko?

“21. Tony Rezko is one of the government’s main witnesses.8 Mr. Rezko’s credibility is extremely relevant in this trial. In many instances, Mr. Rezko is the government’s crucial witness to prove up their allegations.”

Tony Rezko’s name is prominent in the William Cellini indictment.
“It was further part of the conspiracy that CELLINI later told Levine that Rezko and Co-Conspirator A had agreed to the proposal to use their influence with high-ranking State of Illinois officials to oppose the pension consolidation plan in exchange for CELLINI’s agreement to use his influence at TRS and Levine’s position at TRS to ensure that TRS invested money with and hired firms chosen by Rezko and Co-Conspirator A. CELLINI and Levine understood that Rezko and Co-Conspirator A were going to expect under the agreement that CELLINI would use his influence at TRS and Levine would use his position at TRS to help firms that made contributions for the benefit of Public Official A.”

http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2008/pr1030_01a.pdf

I am certain that the US Justice Department will continue to protect Obama leading up to and during the William Cellini trial. However, if you think that Obama’s name could not come up during the trial, think again.

William Cellini trial, Chicago businessman, The Pope of Illinois politics, Bill Cellini 101, Cellini 101, Cellini Blagojevich Rezko Levine Obama

William Cellini trial, Chicago businessman, The Pope of Illinois politics, Bill Cellini 101, Cellini 101, Cellini Blagojevich Rezko Levine Obama

“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

“Illinois is Six Degrees of Bill Cellini.”…John Kass, Chicago Tribune

“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

The William Cellini trial is scheduled for October 3, 2011. Tony Rezko and Stuart Levine have not been sentenced. Until recently, the major news sources have been mostly quiet about Cellini even though, as John Kass of the Tribune stated “Illinois is six degrees of Cellini.”  Here are some recent articles.

From the Chicago Tribune July 3, 2011.

“The marquee event in a federal investigation into Rod
Blagojevich’s governorship, Blagojevich’s own trial, is over — but the
legal saga that stretches back nearly a decade isn’t quite at an end.

The last big trial in the case is that of businessman William Cellini,
a Springfield Republican dubbed “The Pope” of Illinois politics for
his influence in the halls of state power dating back to the 1960s.”

“Both Blagojevich and the jailed Rezko are expected to be sentenced
toward the end of the year. Two former chiefs of staff for
Blagojevich, John Harris and Lon Monk — both of whom testified against
their former boss at his retrial — must also be sentenced.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-bc-il–blagojevichtrial-whatsnext,0,1657391.story

From the Rockford Register Star July 3, 2011.

“Cellini’s trial for fraud and extortion conspiracy, set to start Oct.
3, is the next case related to Operation Board Games, a sprawling
probe by federal prosecutors in Chicago into corruption in the
administration of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.”

“The trial had been scheduled for Aug. 22, but in a motion agreed to by
Cellini, prosecutors said they had “unforeseen personal conflicts”
with that date and asked that it be delayed. In its filing, the
government estimated the trial could take up to four weeks.”

“Cellini lost a bid in 2009 to suppress wiretapped conversations.
However, motions regarding that request have been sealed or heavily
redacted, so it’s unclear what the substance of those conversations
was.”

“Key dates

Spring 2003: According to the federal indictment, William Cellini and
Stuart Levine agree to ask Chris Kelly and Tony Rezko to use their
influence in the Rod Blagojevich administration to defeat a plan to
consolidate the Teachers’ Retirement System with other state
retirement systems.

Spring 2004: Blagojevich reappoints Levine to the TRS board.

April 2004: Levine tells Rezko they could force Capri Capital to pay
to get $220 million in TRS funds to investment, according to the
indictment. Levine is to have Cellini tell Capri principal Thomas
Rosenberg that Capri will not receive the investment allocation unless
Rosenberg contributes to Blagojevich’s campaign.

May 2004: Cellini agrees to deliver the ultimatum to Rosenberg,
according to the indictment.

May 7, 2004: Cellini allegedly tells Rosenberg that Capri has not
received the investment funds because it had not made campaign
contributions.

May 8, 2004: Cellini tells Levine that Rosenberg threatened to inform
law enforcement of the alleged extortion attempt, according to the
indictment.

May 10, 2004: Cellini tells Kelly about Rosenberg’s threats, the
indictment says. Cellini and Levine talk about ways to convince
Rosenberg not to go to law enforcement.

May 11, 2004: Cellini, Kelly, Levine and Rezko agree that it’s too
risky to withhold investment funds from Capri Capital, according to
the indictment. But they agree that Capri Capital will not receive
more money.

May 25, 2004: The TRS board agrees to give Capri Capital $220 million to invest.

Summer 2004: Cellini, Kelly and Rezko discuss having TRS executive
director Jon Baumann moved from his position so that he won’t
cooperate with law enforcement, according to the indictment.

Summer and fall 2004: Cellini and Rezko discuss having Chicago-area
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald removed from his position to stop a
criminal investigation, the indictment says.

June 4, 2008: Rezko is convicted on 16 of 24 charges. However, the
eight charges on which Rezko is found not guilty include those
involving Cellini, Rosenberg and Capri Capital.

Oct. 30, 2008: Cellini indicted for the first time. He faces four counts.

April 2, 2009: Cellini indicted for a second time, along with Rod and
Robert Blagojevich, Lon Monk, John Harris and Kelly. Cellini faces
three counts in the new indictment.

Sept. 12, 2009: Kelly commits suicide.

Nov. 16, 2009: Cellini’s case separated from the trial of the
Blagojevich brothers.

Oct. 3, 2011: Cellini case scheduled to go to trial.”

Read more:

 http://www.rrstar.com/top_stories/x1721565876/Attorney-Businessman-connected-to-Blagojevich-ready-for-trial

In the Chicago Tribune article, Paul Green, who teaches politics at Chicago’s Roosevelt University, states “Very little is known about him except by inside players,”.

Oh really? 

My hat is off to the Rockford Register Star for posting an article about William Cellini with substance. However, there are a few items from many mentions of Cellini at the Tony Rezko which should be noted.

March 6, 2008

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

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

March 21, 2008

“That’s where Levine’s testimony is headed right now as he details how
he and Republican insider William Cellini staged a coup to take
control of the Teachers’ Retirement System, the $30 billion pension
fund for most Illinois teachers. Cellini had worked with Levine in the
past on corrupt business deals, Levine has testified. Prosecutors say
Levine and Rezko corrupted the pension fund, plotting to steer tens of
millions of dollars in investments to favored money managers in
exchange for a secret split of finder’s fees for those investments.”

 

To learn more about William Cellini and Chicago corruption.

Cellini 101

Obama under the bus? Democrat Party or Rezko Or Cellini, Too late for Blagojevich?

Obama under the bus? Democrat Party or Rezko Or Cellini, Too late for Blagojevich?

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

“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

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

Blagojevich has been convicted of 17 of 20 counts. An appeal is certain. Obama controls the US Justice Department and Blagojevich may have missed an opportunity to throw Obama under the bus.

However….

The William Cellini trial is coming up in August 2011. Will Cellini or his attorney or Tony Rezko throw Obama under the bus?

Also…

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

FBI Obama records, Operation board games, Middle eastern ties, Questionable associations

FBI Obama records, Operation board games, Middle eastern ties, Questionable associations

The FBI knows plenty about Obama’s corruption ties in Chicago and Illinois from Operation Board Games, the investigation that netted Stuart Levine, Tony Rezko, Rod Blagojevich, William Cellini, et al. With the extensive list of dubious ties to the middle east, socialists, communists and radical bombers that Obama has, his FBI dossier, if not destroyed, must be enormous. I am still certain that the recent Washington Post article on the FBI investigation involving Patrick Fitzgerald is a political ploy.

From Citizen Wells June 17, 2010.

“You now know that Obama’s name was mentioned again during the Rod Blagojevich trial. You were advised of this earlier at Citizen Wells and Citizen News.

There are many opportunities for Obama’s name to surface during the Blagojevich trial, just as Blagojevich’s name surfaced during the Tony Rezko trial. Obama is deeply enmeshed in Chicago and Illinois corruption. There is another side of Obama, his connections and allegiance to Muslims and Arabs. Now, as Paul Harvey always said, “The rest of the story.”
Ali Ata is another name likely to surface soon as a witness. Apparently, or at least from the documentation I have read, Ata was more involved in corruption than Joseph Aramanda. Perhaps not. Ali Ata has ties to Barack Obama.
From Citizen Wells December 19, 2008.
“Why Barack Obama should be indicted
Part 9″
“Longtime Blagojevich friend Ali Ata, in a plea bargain on charges of lying to the FBI, said that he handed $25,000 to a Blagojevich fundraiser and that the governor immediately brought up the subject of getting Ata a state job.”
“Obama’s ties to Ali Ata

“The morning after the prosecution announced that Loren would testify, Hamilton dropped another bombshell by informing the judge that Jordanian-native and co-schemer, Ali Ata, the former head of the Illinois Finance Authority, had pled guilty and entered into a plea agreement and he would testify that he received the same information in 2004.”

“Maloof is one of the donors used to funnel two $10,000 contributions to Obama through bank accounts from Rezko‘s pizza businesses from the pension fund kickback. An exhibit produced for the jury shows Maloof also made a $10,000 contribution to Blagojevich.”

“As predicted, on May 1, 2008, Ata testified that he was assured there was a plan in place to remove Fitzgerald after Bush was reelected in 2004. “Mr. Rezko informed me that they had just finished meeting with Mr. Kjellander and that there will be a change in U.S. attorney’s office come the new administration,” he said.”

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

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

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

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

““The corruption in this case involves the Illinois Finance Authority. The IFA was established, “to support the Governor of Illinois’ economic development agenda,” and “IFA approves about $3 billion in project financing each year,” according to its web site.

Co-schemer Ali Ata was appointed to lead the IFA. He made a $5,000 donation to Obama on June 30, 2003.”
“Talat Othman was appointed to the IFA Board, and he donated $1,000 to Obama on June 30, 2003.

David Gustman was made chairman, and his wife, Lisa, also gave Obama $1,000 on June 30.

Co-schemer Abdelhamid Chaib is the former the director of Rezko Concessions. Chaib’s wife was appointed to the Department of Employment Security Review Board. Obama received $5,000 from Chaib on June 30, 2003.”

 
“As part of the scheme, Ata signed a letter on Finance Authority letterhead that falsely made it appear that Dr Paul Ray had applied for financing with the IFA for acquisition of the pizza restaurants. The letter stated that Ray’s financing would be recommended for approval by the IFA Board on March 15, 2004, and that the IFA would guarantee 50% of the total $16 million.”

“But Ata said Rezko scoffed at the concerns. “He said as far as the publicity, he will get the governor’s office to approve the transaction, and as far as the board,” Ata told the jury, Rezko said, “We put them there.”””
“”Ata is a former president of the Chicago Chapter of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. He represents “a deeper corruption” in the Arab American community, “an aspect of the story that has not received much attention,” according to a May 2, 2008 report by Ray Hanania in the Southwest News-Herald.”

“In his report, Hanania explains how Ata and others would help organize political dinners attended by Arab Americans from the suburbs at which politicians where “honored.”

“These Arab community “leaders,” he says, “would tell the community that if they bought tickets to their “candidate’s nights,” their organization fundraisers or donated through them to local politicians, these politicians would respond by giving the Arab American community empowerment.”

“In truth,” Hanania says, “these political leaders lied.”

“They did get jobs, contracts and clout,” he notes, “but the people who benefited were not members of the community but rather the relatives, children, friends and business associates of these leaders.”””

“More Obama ties to Ata and slumlords

“”The Illinois Finance Authority was established by Blagojevich in 2004. Its “role is to support the Governor of Illinois’ economic development agenda,” and “IFA approves about $3 billion in project financing each year,” according to the its site.

Rezko business associate, Ali Ata, was appointed to head the Finance Authority. He is now under indictment in a separate criminal case in which Rezko is also charged. On June 30, 2003, Ata contributed $5,000 to Obama’s US senate campaign.

On June 13, 2007, the Sun-Times reported that as a state senator, “Obama wrote letters to city and state officials supporting his political patron Tony Rezko’s successful bid to get more than $14 million from taxpayers to build apartments for senior citizens.”

“I am writing in support of the New Kenwood LLC’s proposal to build a ninety-seven unit apartment building at 48th and Cottage Grove for senior citizens,” Obama wrote in October 28, 1998 letters to both city and state housing officials. “This project will provide much needed housing for Fourth Ward citizens.””
“In the Times, Novak reported that the deal included $855,000 in development fees for Rezko and Davis, while Obama was still working at the Davis law firm, for a bid on a project that was “four blocks outside Obama’s state Senate district.”””

Read more

You knew this

And this.

From the LA Times April 10, 2008

“Allies of Palestinians see a friend in Obama”

“It was a celebration of Palestinian culture — a night of music, dancing and a dash of politics. Local Arab Americans were bidding farewell to Rashid Khalidi, an internationally known scholar, critic of Israel and advocate for Palestinian rights, who was leaving town for a job in New York.

A special tribute came from Khalidi’s friend and frequent dinner companion, the young state Sen. Barack Obama. Speaking to the crowd, Obama reminisced about meals prepared by Khalidi’s wife, Mona, and conversations that had challenged his thinking.”

 
“Their belief is not drawn from Obama’s speeches or campaign literature, but from comments that some say Obama made in private and from his association with the Palestinian American community in his hometown of Chicago, including his presence at events where anger at Israeli and U.S. Middle East policy was freely expressed.

At Khalidi’s 2003 farewell party, for example, a young Palestinian American recited a poem accusing the Israeli government of terrorism in its treatment of Palestinians and sharply criticizing U.S. support of Israel. If Palestinians cannot secure their own land, she said, “then you will never see a day of peace.”

One speaker likened “Zionist settlers on the West Bank” to Osama bin Laden, saying both had been “blinded by ideology.””

Read more:

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/apr/10/nation/na-obamamideast10

Did you know this?

From Islam for Today, April 10, 2001.

“Halal Food Act Passed In Illinois Senate
In a landmark event for Illinois’ more than 400,000 Muslim, the Illinois senate has unanimously passed the Halal Food Act on Thursday to safeguard the interests of the Muslim consumer.”

“It also specifically defines the term “Halal” as food “prepared under and maintained in strict compliance with the laws and customs of the Islamic religion including but not limited to those laws and customs of zabiha/zabeeha (slaughtered according to appropriate Islamic code), and as expressed by reliable recognized Islamic entities and scholars.”

“The Illinois Halal Food Act was sponsored by Sen.Christine Radogno (R-La Grange) with Senators Thomas Walsh, Barack Obama, Louis Viverito, and Ira Silverstein as Chief Co-Sponsors.”

Read more:
http://www.islamfortoday.com/illinois2.htm

***  Update June 17, 2010 5:30 ET ***

Right on cue, Ali Ata’s name was mentioned during the Blagojevich trial today.

Jill Hayden, director of boards and commissions, testified today and brought up Ali Ata as Tony Rezko’s friend and a member of the IFA, Illinois Finance Authority.”

Let’s not forget this significant connection.

From NewsMax September 23, 2008.

“How exactly did Barack Obama pay for his Harvard Law School education?

The way the Obama campaign has answered the question was simply hard work and student loans.

But new questions have been raised about Obama’s student loans and Obama’s ties to a radical Muslim activist who reportedly was raising money for Obama’s Harvard studies during the years 1988 to 1991.

The allegations first surfaced in late March, when former Manhattan Borough president Percy Sutton told a New York cable channel that a former business partner who was “raising money” for Obama had approached him in 1988 to help Obama get into Harvard Law School.

In the interview, Sutton says he first heard of Obama about twenty years ago from Khalid Al-Mansour, a Black Muslim and Black Nationalist who was a “mentor” to the founders of the Black Panther party at the time the party was founded in the early 1960s.

Sutton described al-Mansour as advisor to “one of the world’s richest men,” Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

Prince Alwaleed catapulted to fame in the United States after the September 11 attacks, when New York mayor Rudy Guiliani refused his $10 million check to help rebuild Manhattan, because the Saudi prince hinted publicly that America’s pro-Israel policies were to blame for the attacks.

Sutton knew Al-Mansour well, since the two men had been business partners and served on several corporate boards together.

As Sutton remembered, Al-Mansour was raising money for Obama’s education and seeking recommendations for him to attend Harvard Law School.

“I was introduced to (Obama) by a friend who was raising money for him,” Sutton told NY1 city hall reporter Dominic Carter. “The friend’s name is Dr. Khalid al-Mansour, from Texas.””

“Sen. Obama has refused to instruct Harvard Law School to release any information about his time there as a student, or about his student loans.”

“Where did he find the money? Did it come from friends of Khalid Al Mansour? And why would a radical Muslim activist with ties to the Saudi royal family be raising money for Barack Obama?

That’s the question the Obama campaign still won’t answer.”

Read more:

http://www.newsmax.com/KenTimmerman/obama-harvard-/2009/12/14/id/342454

Blagojevich fake trial gets reported, William Cellini news altered, Obama protected

Blagojevich fake trial gets reported, William Cellini news altered, Obama protected

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

“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

“Connections could touch every somebody”

“Illinois is Six Degrees of Bill Cellini.”…John Kass, Chicago Tribune

The Blagojevich fake trial continues today with the jury returning after a 3 day break. The diversionary news about Blagojevich has been reported.

From Citizen Wells June 14, 2011.

“When was the last time that a Republican, with a history of shady deals, corruption figure connections, tied to Rezko, Blagojevich, et al, indicted for corruption involving a teacher retirement fund and scheduled for trial soon, was not being scrutinized, examined under a microscope and found guilty in the press?

Can you imagine such a scenario?

We have one now in the indictment and upcoming trial of William Cellini.

This is being very much underreported.

Why?”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/cellini-indictment-and-trial-coverage-republican-bill-cellini-not-being-scrutinized-chicago-tribune-article-disappears-protecting-obama/

This has become another “deer in the headlights” question. I have run this question by some of my more left leaning friends. They have no response or choose to withhold it.

I have another question for you. When was the last time that you saw a news organization the size of Citizen Wells get positions 1 through 4 and 6 in a major search engine search?

And of course we have the Chicago Tribune scrubbing their article of December 2, 2010.

And something suspicious happened with a Chicago Sun-Times article of a few months ago about Daniel Frawley, a Rezko associate.

Has something happened in regard to William Cellini that the big players know about or are they simply perpetuating status quo in protecting Obama?

 

Citizen News Mobile app, Citizen Wells Citizen News and mobile news, Citizenwells.net, News on the go

Citizen News Mobile app, Citizen Wells Citizen News and mobile news, Citizenwells.net, News on the go

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

Citizen News Mobile is a new way to keep up with Citizen Wells and Citizen News on the go. Feeds from the Citizen Wells blog and the Citizen News site along with news snippets posted on the mobile site are presented faster and more compactly for mobile devices. This, as most new projects, will evolve and hopefully improve over time.

Here are the first two news snippets posted there.

“A verdict in the Blagojevich trial is expected soon. However the real verdict is the continued protection of Obama by the US Justice Department and the media. The William Cellini trial is scheduled for August 2011. Tony Rezko is mentioned throughout the Cellini indictment. Will Rezko take the witness stand?”

http://citizenwells.net/2011/06/19/blagojevich-trial-june-20-2011-jury-verdict-expected-soon-protecting-obama-william-cellini-trial/

“Citizen Wells has been covering Chicago corruption involving Tony Rezko, Rod Blagojevich and Barack Obama for over three years. A lesser known tie to Obama, et al, William Cellini is scheduled for trial in August 2011. Mention of William Cellini is conspicuously absent from mainstream media coverage. Is this because of the common denominator of Tony Rezko? Or perhaps the time period that Obama had the most contact with Rezko, 2003 to 2005? More to come from Citizen Wells soon.”

http://citizenwells.net/2011/06/19/obama-cellini-frawley-rezko-ties-chicago-news-being-scrubbed-altered-citizen-wells-report-coming/

Citizen News Mobile

http://citizenwells.net