William Cellini trial update October 11, 2011, Cellini trial coverage from Natasha Korecki of Chicago SunTimes
From the Chicago Tribune October 11, 2011.
“An Illinois powerbroker on trial for attempted extortion complained that then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s confidants were too overt about seeking benefits from state decisions and should follow the example he set during his decades close to the reins of power, a witness told jurors Tuesday.
The testimony came as prosecutors laid out their case in the week-old trial of millionaire businessman William Cellini. He is accused of conspiring with Blagojevich insiders Tony Rezko and Chris Kelly to shake down the Oscar-winning producer of “Million Dollar Baby” for a $1.5 million campaign contribution to Blagojevich.
Cellini, now 76, arrived late at one meeting in Chicago in February 2004, visibly agitated as he described a recent encounter with Rezko and Kelly, according to witness Steven Loren. Loren is a former attorney for the $30 billion Teachers’ Retirement System, which is central to the case against Cellini.
Cellini grumbled that the Blagojevich confidants “were moving too fast, they were going to get themselves in trouble,” Loren told jurors.
Once known as the King of Clout for the influence he wielded in Illinois politics going back to the 1960s, Cellini said Rezko and Kelly should follow the example he set over a 30-year span close to top-tier Illinois decision makers, and “stay out of the limelight” and “above the fray,” Loren testified.
Cellini, whose trial entered a second week on Tuesday, allegedly plotted with Rezko and Kelly to squeeze Hollywood producer Thomas Rosenberg by threatening to yank $220 million in Teachers’ Retirement System funds from Rosenberg’s investment company unless he came up with the donation.”
“Much of Loren’s testimony Tuesday drew on his interactions with Stuart Levine, a TRS board member at the time and another figure in the alleged conspiracy who is expected to take the stand later.
During cross examination, defense attorney Dan Webb sought to hit at the trustworthiness of Levine, who admitted on the stand at another trial that he abused cocaine and other drugs — sometimes at marathon parties.
“You do know that he had a habit of lying to you, is that correct?” Webb asked Loren about Levine, pacing across the courtroom floor and raising his voice slightly. The judge sustained a prosecution objection before Loren could respond.”
William Cellini trial opening statements, October 6, 2011, Stuart Levine drug use, Where is Tony Rezko?
From The Chicago Tribune October 6, 2011.
“Defense, U.S. disagree if Cellini was shaking down or helping”
“After listening to a federal prosecutor for nearly 40 minutes lay out how Springfield power broker William Cellini allegedly plotted to extort campaign cash from a Hollywood producer, veteran attorney Dan Webb stood up and put a decidedly different spin on the story.
Cellini was only trying to help an old friend, Webb insisted Wednesday to the jury. And in the end, he did, Webb maintained.
“This story does have a happy ending,” Webb said with emphasis as Cellini’s long-awaited trial started in earnest following the selection of 12 jurors and four alternates.
The longtime statehouse insider is charged with trying to shake down producer Thomas Rosenberg in 2004 for a $1.5 million contribution to the campaign of then-Gov.Rod Blagojevich.
Cellini was no innocent victim of circumstances, contended Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Deis in his opening remarks to jurors.
“The defendant didn’t slip, fall and find himself in the middle of an extortion,” he said. “He was in. Eyes wide open.”
Cellini’s federal trial on fraud and attempted extortion charges marks the last of the corruption cases arising from the scandal that toppled Blagojevich and many of his top aides.
On Wednesday, two rows of supporters, many of whom had traveled from Springfield, sat behind Cellini, 76, who has wielded influence behind the scenes in Springfield for four decades.
Webb attacked what he called six flaws in the governnment’s evidence, including the fact that Rosenberg won’t testify that Cellini directly asked him for money. Webb also said that it was Rosenberg who called Cellini for help when his investments at the Teachers’ Retirement System, or TRS, were threatened.
Webb also blasted Stuart Levine, the prosecution’s key witness, as unreliable. He warned jurors that they would be stunned by Levine’s “secret life” of serious drug abuse and “24-hour binge parties.”
But the prosecutor noted that secretly recorded phone calls between Levine and Cellini prove that Cellini was deeply involved in the extortion plot.
Deis portrayed Cellini as a consummate insider with access and influence who could simply pick up a phone and reach decision-makers in state government.
In a low and serious tone, Deis explained how Cellini’s longtime connections in state politics set the stage for the alleged 2004 plot.
After more than a quarter-century of Republican rule in the governor’s office, Democrat Blagojevich’s election posed a dilemma for Cellini, according to the government.
But he secretly made a deal with two of the governor’s key advisers, Antoin “Tony” Rezko and Christopher Kelly, that he would raise campaign money for Blagojevich to keep his influence at TRS, the prosecutor alleged. Levine was a corrupt member of the TRS board.
The government alleges Cellini had a financial reason for the move — an investment company he controlled made millions of dollars in fees from TRS.
At one point Deis noted Cellini’s considerable power by referring to his Downstate nickname — “the pope.”
Cellini, wearing a bright pink tie, sat calmly with his hands folded neatly on the defense table as the two sides told jurors what they believe the evidence will be as the trial unfolds over the next several weeks.
On a screen in the courtroom in the U.S. Dirksen Courthouse, Webb flashed a litany of Levine’s flaws, called him a con man and then listed five illegal drugs abused by Levine.
Webb told the jury of “24-hour binge parties” in hotels, including the infamous “Purple Hotel.”
“You’re gonna be flabbergasted by Stuart Levine’s secret life,” Webb told jurors.
The sordid details had played out at Rezko’s 2008 trial. Levine was a key witness for the government then as well.”
William Cellini trial jury selected, Opening statements Thursday, October 6, 2011, Teachers’ Retirement System extortion plot
The jury has been selected in the William Cellini trial and opening statements are expected Thursday, October 6, 2011.
From the Chicago Tribune October 5, 2011.
“A jury has been selected for the trial of Illinois powerbroker William Cellini.
Cellini, 76, is accused of conspiring to shake down the Oscar-winning producer of “Million Dollar Baby” for a campaign contribution to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Prosecutors say Cellini wielded influence over the Teachers’ Retirement System and plotted with top Blagojevich advisers and a corrupt TRS board member to try to extort a $1.5 million campaign contribution from producer Thomas Rosenberg.
The plot was hatched in 2004 after it was discovered that Rosenberg hadn’t contributed to Blagojevich’s campaign despite his investment firm’s extensive business with TRS.
The case is the last trial stemming from a federal investigation of the ousted governor, who was convicted of corruption earlier this year and is awaiting sentencing.”
Tony Rezko sentencing delayed again until November 22, 2011, October 3, 2011 hearing, Rezko sentenced after Cellini trial
“Why was Tony Rezko’s sentencing delayed?”…Citizen Wells
From the Chicago SunTimes October 3, 2011.
“Sentencing delayed — again — for Tony Rezko”
“A federal judge in Chicago has again delayed the sentencing of convicted political fixer Tony Rezko, the onetime top adviser to and campaign fund-raiser for ousted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve agreed Monday to a request by prosecutors to delay Rezko’s sentencing — which was most recently set for Oct. 21 — until Nov. 22 so the sentencing doesn’t interfere with the trial of Springfield businessman and longtime political power broker William Cellini.”
William Cellini trial jury selection, October 3, 2011, Tony Rezko status hearing, Rezko witness?
“Why was Tony Rezko’s sentencing delayed?”…Citizen Wells
The jury selection process begins in the William Cellini trial today, Monday, October 3, 2011. Even though he was convicted in June of 2008 and not yet sentenced, there is no indication that Tony Rezko will be called as a witness despite the fact that his name is mentioned throughout the Cellini Indictment. Rezko has a status hearing scheduled today as well.
Daily Calendar
Monday, October 3, 2011 (As of 10/03/11 at 05:46:58 AM
Honorable Amy J. St. Eve Courtroom 1241 (ASE)
1:05-cr-00691 USA v. Rezko 08:45 Status Hearing
Honorable James B. Zagel Courtroom 2503 (JBZ)
October 3, 2011, William Cellini trial, Tony Rezko status hearing, Blagojevich sentencing, Will Rezko testify?
The William Cellini trial begins October 3, 2011. There is also a Tony Rezko status hearing scheduled for October 3, 2011. Apparently the Blagojevich sentencing hearing will begin soon as well. Will Tony Rezko be a witness in the Cellini trial? Historical trends say no.
William Cellini trial pre trial hearing September 23, 2011, Judge James B. Zagel, Courtroom 2503, Notice of motion
From the State Journal Register September 23, 2011.
“A federal judge is scheduled to rule on several pre-trial motions in the case of a one-time fundraiser for ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Friday’s status hearing in Chicago comes two weeks before William Cellini’s trial is set to start on Oct. 3.
His is the last major trial linked to Blagojevich’s disgraced administration.
A jury convicted Blagojevich of multiple corruption charges earlier this year. The same judge overseeing Cellini’s case, James Zagel, is scheduled to sentence Blagojevich on Oct. 6.
To avoid scheduling conflicts, Zagel could delay either Cellini’s trial or Blagojevich’s sentencing.”
Ron Paul blames America for 9/11, GOP debate, Monday, September 12, 2011, Whose side is Paul on?, Left wing propaganda
“With friends like the Saudis, who needs enemies?”
“You talk o’ better food for us, an’ schools, an’ fires, an’ all:
We’ll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don’t mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow’s Uniform is not the soldier-man’s disgrace.
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot;
An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;
An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool — you bet that Tommy
sees!”…Rudyard Kipling, “Tommy”
“Militant Islam derives from Islam but is a misanthropic, misogynist, triumphalist, millenarian, anti-modern, anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, terroristic, jihadistic, and suicidal version of it. Fortunately, it appeals to only about 10 percent to 15 percent of Muslims, meaning that a substantial majority would prefer a more moderate version.”…Daniel Pipes
If you want politically correct, go somewhere else.
The US defeated Nazi Germany and Japan and then helped rebuild the countries.
In 1990 Saudi Arabia asked for US troops to help stop the invasion of Kuwait and ultimately protect the Saudis.
The French, Germans and Russians were in bed with Saddam Hussein. I believe that the US invasion of Iraq could have been avoided if the United Nations had done it’s job.
I could have blasted Ron Paul in late 2008 when he stated that he would be laughed out of Congress if he challenged Obama’s eligibility. I did not let Mr. Constitution have it then. He was behaving like the rest of the sheep.
I agree with Glenn Beck, some of the statements made by Ron Paul make sense. However, Paul crossed over the line when he blamed America for 9/11. It was irresponsible and wrong!
Ron Paul mentioned the Saudis when he spoke of American Military Bases. His speech sounded more like left wing propaganda and employed selective references. Here are some facts regarding the Saudis.
From Daniel Pipes, winter of 2002/2003.
“DanielPipes.org looks at the Middle East, Islam, terrorism, U.S.
foreign policy, and related topics from the perspective of an American
with a Ph.D. in medieval Middle East history who now heads a
current-affairs think tank, the Middle East Forum.”
“The Scandal of U.S.-Saudi Relations”
“Consider two symbolic moments in the U.S.-Saudi relationship involving
a visit by one leader to the other’s country. In November 1990,
President George H.W. Bush went to the Persian Gulf region with his
wife and top congressional leaders at Thanksgiving time to visit the
400,000 troops gathered in Saudi Arabia, whom he sent there to protect
that country from an Iraqi invasion. When the Saudi authorities
learned that the President intended to say grace before a festive
Thanksgiving dinner, they remonstrated; Saudi Arabia knows only one
religion, they said, and that is Islam. Bush acceded, and he and his
entourage instead celebrated the holiday on the U.S.S. Durham, an
amphibious cargo ship sitting in international waters.
In April 2002, as Crown Prince Abdallah of Saudi Arabia, the country’s
effective ruler, was about to travel across Texas to visit President
George W. Bush, an advance group talked to the airport manager in Waco
(the airport serving the President’s ranch in Crawford) “and told him
they did not want any females on the ramp and also said there should
not be any females talking to the airplane.”[2] The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) at Waco complied with this request and passed it
to three other FAA stations on the crown prince’s route, which also
complied. Then, when queried about this matter, both the FAA and the
State Department joined the Saudi foreign minister in flat-out denying
that there ever was a Saudi request for male-only controllers.
The import of these incidents is clear enough: Official Americans in
Saudi Arabia bend to Saudi customs, and official Americans in the
United States do so as well. And it’s not just a matter of travel
etiquette; one finds parallel American obsequiousness concerning such
issues as energy, security, religion and personal status. The Saudis
routinely set the terms of this bilateral relationship. For decades,
U.S. government agencies have engaged in a consistent pattern of
deference to Saudi wishes, making so many unwonted and unnecessary
concessions that one gets the impression that a switch has taken
place, with both sides forgetting which of them is the great power and
which the minor one. I shall first document this claim, then offer an
explanation for it, and conclude with a policy recommendation.”
“Starting in 1991, the U.S. military required its female personnel
based in Saudi Arabia to wear black, head-to-foot abayas. (This makes
Saudi Arabia the only country in the world where U.S. military
personnel are expected to wear a religiously-mandated garment.)
Further, the women had to ride in the back seat of vehicles and be
accompanied by a man when off base.”
“The pattern of Saudi fathers abducting children from the United States
to Saudi Arabia, and then keeping them there with the full agreement
of the Saudi authorities, affects at least 92 children of U.S. mothers
and Saudi fathers, perhaps many more. In each of these heartbreaking
cases, the State Department has behaved with weakness bordering on
sycophancy. To be specific, it has accepted the Saudi law that gives
the father near-absolute control over the movement and activities of
his children and wife (or wives). The department has made no real
efforts to signal its displeasure to the Saudi authorities over these
cases, much less made vigorous efforts to free the children held
against their American families’ wishes.”
“In Saudi Arabia, the U.S. government submits to restrictions on
Christian practices that it would find totally unacceptable anywhere
else in the world-starting with the U.S. president’s not celebrating
Thanksgiving in the Kingdom, as mentioned above. The hundreds of
thousands of American troops in Saudi Arabia in December 1990 were not
permitted to hold formal Christmas services at their bases on Saudi
soil; all that was allowed to them were “C-word morale services” held
in places where they would be invisible to the outside world, such as
tents and mess halls. The goal was for no Saudi to be made to suffer
the knowledge that Christians were at prayer.”
“With Jews, the issue is not freedom of religious practice in Saudi
Arabia; it is simply gaining entry to the Kingdom. In several
instances over many years, agencies of the U.S. government have
excluded Jewish Americans from positions in Saudi Arabia. Hunter
explains that a protocol prohibiting Jews being assigned to the
Kingdom was signed by the U.S. Embassy in Jeddah and the Saudi
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a result of which the State Department
avoids sending Jewish employees to reside in Saudi Arabia.[11] Select
senior diplomats of Jewish origin may briefly visit the country on
official business but “no low or mid-level Jewish-American diplomat
was permitted to be stationed/reside in Kingdom” during Hunter’s
three-year experience.”
“Mail to U.S. military and official government personnel enters the
Kingdom on U.S. military craft, and American officials in Saudi Arabia
follow Saudi wishes by seizing and disposing of Christmas trees and
decorations and other symbols of the holiday. They seize and destroy
Christmas cards sent to (the mostly non-official) Americans who
receive their mail through a Saudi postal box, and even tear from the
envelope U.S. stamps portraying religious scenes.”
9/11 Memorial George W Bush speech, Amazing Grace singing during Bloomberg speech, Flight 93 Memorial Speech, September 11, 2011
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”…Thomas Paine
God bless and protect America. God bless those who lost loved ones on 9/11. And God bless those who gave their lives protecting their fellow Americans.
George W. Bush gave a speech in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on 9/11 and praising the brave Americans of Flight 93.
I hope that the following occurs.
From Ironic Surrealism September 10, 2011.
“MUST GO VIRAL! Ground Zero Memorial FLASH SINGING of Amazing Grace When Bloomberg Speaks”
“PLEASE HELP US GET THIS VIRAL FAST!
All of you in attendance at Ground Zero for the 9/11/11 Memorial Service.
When Mayor Bloomberg begins to speak let “Amazing Grace” FILL THE AIR”
The Mayor can keep our Clergy out, but he can’t keep ALL those in attendance from singing.
EVEN IF YOU HUM ALONG JUST DO THIS!!!
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me….
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
T’was Grace that taught…
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear…
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares…
we have already come.
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far…
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me…
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be…
as long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been here ten thousand years…
bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise…
then when we’ve first begun.
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me….
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
If you participate PLEASE have someone tape it and upload it to YouTube.
Citizen WElls 