Blagojevich retrial, Rezko Levine et al waiting sentencing
From the Chicago tribune, a list of Blagojevich trial potential witnesses waiting on sentencing.
“–Antoin “Tony” Rezko: Former fundraiser for Blagojevich and Barack Obama and key adviser to Blagojevich, convicted in June 2008 of fraud, money laundering and bribery for scheming to make millions of dollars by squeezing campaign contributions or kickbacks from firms seeking business with the Teachers Retirement System and Health Facilities Planning Board. On the witness list for Blagojevich’s trial, but did not testify, and is awaiting sentencing. Still faces charges of fraudulently obtaining a $10.5 million business loan.
–Stuart Levine: Millionaire attorney and longtime Republican donor. Pleaded guilty in October 2006 to fraud and money laundering in the Rezko schemes and was the government’s top witness against Rezko. Member of both the TRS and health planning boards, reappointed by Blagojevich to both. Testified that Blagojevich told him, “Stick with us and you will do very well for yourself.” Awaiting sentencing. Faced life in prison but could get 5 1/2 years for cooperating.
–William Cellini: Longtime Republican fundraiser in Springfield who did business with TRS. Was indicted with Blagojevich on charges of fraud and extortion conspiracy and attempted extortion in connection with a plan to block a Hollywood producer’s real estate investment company from getting $220 million in teachers pension money to invest unless the producer contributed to Blagojevich. Pleaded not guilty in November 2008, got his case separated from Blagojevich’s last fall and has not had a trial date set.
–Alonzo “Lon” Monk: Blagojevich’s law school roommate, gave up a career as a sports agent to join Blagojevich and was the governor’s first chief of staff and campaign manager. Pleaded guilty in October 2009 to one count of wire fraud for attempting to squeeze a racetrack owner for a $100,000 campaign contribution. Testified at Blagojevich’s trial that the two of them, Kelly and Rezko discussed ways to make money through state government connections. Has yet to be sentenced. He faced 37 to 46 months in prison but could get 24 months because he cooperated.
–John Harris: Blagojevich’s chief of staff from late 2005 until his arrest in December 2008, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Testified that Blagojevich sent word to the Obama administration that he would appoint one of the president-elect’s close friends to Obama’s vacated Senate seat if Blagojevich got a cabinet post in Washington. Has yet to be sentenced, but prosecutors have promised to urge a maximum 35-month term.
–Ali Ata: Rezko associate who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about Rezko’s role in getting him his job as executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority. Testified he was at a meeting in 2003 when Ata gave Rezko a $25,000 contribution for Blagojevich and the governor asked Rezko whether he’d spoken to Ata about a state job. He gave another $25,000 the following summer and Blagojevich told him the job he got should allow him to “make some money.” Awaiting sentencing. Faced 18 months in prison, but cooperation could mean even less than the 12-month minimum.
–Joseph Cari: Former Democratic National Committee finance chairman. Pleaded guilty in September 2005 to attempted extortion after telling a company seeking TRS business it had to send $750,000 to a consultant of his choice. Testified that Rezko and Kelly tried to recruit him to raise money for a Blagojevich presidential run and that the ex-governor told him governors are in a better position than senators to seek the presidency because they can hand out legal work and other contracts to contributors.”
Read more:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-blagojevichscorec,0,4123288.story
Citizen WElls 
LTC Terry Lakin, CNN retraction of defamatory comments, Citizen Wells open thread, August 16, 2010
LTC Terry Lakin, CNN retraction of defamatory comments
From American Patriot Foundation a few minutes ago.
“PRESS RELEASE
ARMY DOCTOR LTC TERRY LAKIN SUCCESSFUL IN DEMAND FOR CNN TO RETRACT DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS
JEFFREY TOOBIN WITHDRAWS VICIOUS STATEMENT HE MADE ABOUT LAKIN SAYS HE NEVER INTENDED THEM TO APPLY TO DECORATED ARMY DOCTOR
Washington, D.C., August 16, 2010. The Army doctor who is being court martialled for refusing to obey orders has demanded – and received – a retraction from CNN of defamatory comments made by Jeffrey Toobin about Lakin.
Lakin appeared on the “Anderson Cooper 360” program with his lead counsel, Paul Rolf Jensen on May 7, 2010. A few days later, CNN aired on the same program a panel discussion with three lawyers, the purpose of which was to discuss LTC Lakin and his case. During that program, the following colloquy took place between Messrs. Cooper and Toobin, and a photo of LTC Lakin was displayed during Mr. Toobin’s remarks:
COOPER: It is sad, this guy has given 18 years of service, apparently served honorably, was a doctor, and then seems to be tossing out his career for this. I mean there are principled stands you can take…
TOOBIN: In your interview you kept saying what an honorable man he is. You know, as they say at the Supreme Court, I think I dissent. You know, these people are bigots, they’re racists, they’re freaks, they’re lunatics, these are not rational players in American politics…
On June 8, 2010, Jensen wrote CNN President Jonathan Klein as well as Mr. Toobin. In that letter, Jensen wrote: “Mr. Toobin’s statement is patently false. LTC Lakin is neither irrational, a racist, a bigot, a freak, or a lunatic. Nor is there any rational basis to conclude he is any of these things, which of course was Mr. Cooper’s point. Mr. Toobin, unlike Mr. Cooper, made this statement without ever speaking with LTC Lakin (or likely anyone that knows him.) Mr. Toobin’s statement was understood to pertain to LTC Lakin and appears to have been made with actual malice, and particularly in the context given, which is Mr. Toobin contradicting Mr. Cooper saying LTC Lakin’s professional service was honorable, attacks my client’s professional character and standing.
For these reasons, Mr. Toobin’s statement constitutes per se defamation, and is unconscionable, and LTC Lakin demands it be immediately retracted, on air during the “Anderson Cooper 360″ program. Your failure to make such a retraction will leave us no choice but to sue for defamation without further notice or demand.”
Immediately upon receipt of Jensen’s letter, CNN’s Vice President and General Counsel David Vigilante contacted Jensen, and although he denied the statement was defamatory, he agreed that CNN would require Toobin to retract the statement, and true to his word, last month this is exactly what aired:
TOOBIN: Anderson, can I just add one point on an unrelated matter?
COOPER: Sure. Yes.
TOOBIN: A couple of weeks ago, we did a story about Lieutenant Colonel Terrence Lakin. He is the officer who has tried to get out of military service because he believes that President Obama was not born in the United States. He’s one of the so-called birthers. In the course of that report, I made the statement that a lot of the birthers are bigots and racists and there was a picture of Lakin behind me.
I didn’t mean to suggest that he was a bigot and a racist. I was just talking more generally. And I also should correct myself. He wasn’t trying to get out of military service. He is the subject of a court Martial, that’s why we were doing the story. But I didn’t mean to imply that about him.
COOPER: OK, Jeff, thanks.
The videos can be viewed on the website of the American Patriot Foundation, www.safeguardourconstitution.com.
LTC Lakin accepts this second statement as a complete retraction of the first. Although it is regrettable that it took Jensen’s threat of litigation to compel Toobin to take back his vile words, the fact remains that CNN did the right thing in airing this retraction. “The matter is now closed,” Lakin stated today. “CNN and Toobin did the right thing to clear my name, and while I was ready to file suit if necessary to protect my reputation, I am glad my attorney was successful without having to do so.”
Lakin is a Lt. Colonel with almost 18 years of unblemished service to the Army, with six tours of duty abroad, including tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan. He is a physician and has been awarded the Bronze Star for his service. He believes that his oath to support and defend the United States Constitution has compelled him to act as he has, because President Obama’s eligibility under the Constitution to hold office has been seriously questioned, and the President has refused all requests to release documents claimed to exist which could determine his eligibility.
Immediately prior to Lakin’s refusal to deploy, his commander, COL Dale Block wrote of Lakin, “Dr. Lakin is an extremely talented, highly knowledgeable senior Army clinician…he can always be counted on to provide me with expert advice…LTC Lakin is clearly one of the top clinicians in the Northern Regional Medical Command. He has superb clinical skills, rapport with patients and staff…Terry is the best choice for tough assignments…Already on the promotion list to Colonel, he should be groomed for positions of greater responsibility.” COL Block concluded by describing LTC Lakin as “best qualified” and recommended that LTC Lakin be selected for duty as a Clinic Commander (in other words, Block’s own position).
The American Patriot Foundation, a non-profit group incorporated in 2003 to foster appreciation and respect for the U.S. Constitution, which has established a fund for Lakin’s legal defense to LTC Lakin. Further details are available on the Foundation’s website, www.safeguardourconstitution.com.
—-end—-
For further information, contact: Margaret Hemenway at (202) 725-7659
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Tagged 2010, August 16, Citizen Wells open thread, CNN retraction of defamatory comments, LTC Terry Lakin