Blagojevich trial, May 5, 2010, Obama, Stuart Levine, William Cellini, Illinois Gaming Board
From the recent motion to subpoena Barack Obama from the Blagojevich defense team we know this.
“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
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.”
Obama subpoena redacted portions
Here is just a snippet of insight into Obama’s close connections to corruption figures tied to the gaming industry. Of course you remenber that Obama was a IL senator in 1999. What else was Obama doing in 1999? What else was Stuart Levine doing in 1999?
The names highlighted were done so by me.
“MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
ILLINOIS GAMING BOARD
OCTOBER 26, 1999
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS”
“The Illinois Gaming Board (“Board”) held its Regular Meeting on October 26, 1999 in the auditorium on the 5th floor of
the State of Illinois Building, Chicago, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120.
The following Board Members were present: Robert F. Vickrey, Chairman; and Members Gregory C. Jones, Joseph A.
Lamendella, Stuart P. Levine and Staci M. Yandle.”
“ALTON GAMING COMPANY (“Alton”) – Don Malloy, representing Alton, requested approval of its owner’s license.
Administrator Acosta stated that there are no outstanding concerns with AGC and recommended approval to the Board.
Member Levine moved
that the Board renew the owner’s license of Alton Gaming Company for a period of 1 year.
The license is to expire in October 2000.
In renewing the license, the Board formally designates the following as key persons of the licensee:
Argosy Gaming Company
William F. Cellini”
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