SubscribeRezko Scam Helped Fund Obama Senate Run
From the dogged Chicago Sun-Times:
Sun-Times Exclusive: Obama surfaces in Rekzo’s federal corruption case
Source confirmed Obama is the unnamed “political candidate” referred to in document which outlines case against Rezko
January 19, 2008
BY DAVE MCKINNEY, NATASHA KORECKI, CHRIS FUSCO AND TIM NOVAK
For the first time, Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama has surfaced in the federal corrupton case against his longtime campaign fund-raiser, Tony Rezko, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned…
The allegations against Rezko that involve Obama are contained in one paragraph of a 78-page document filed last month in which prosecutors outline their corruption and fraud case against Rezko, who was also a key money man for Gov. Blagojevich and other politicians.
Rezko is set to go to trial Feb. 25. The revelation that Obama’s name could come up in court is a political headache he doesn’t need as he heads into a round of primaries that are likely to determine his party’s nomination for president.
Obama is not named in the Dec. 21 court document. But a source familiar with the case confirmed that Obama is the unnamed “political candidate” referred to in a section of the document that accuses Rezko of orchestrating a scheme in which a firm hired to handle state teacher pension investments first had to pay $250,000 in “sham” finder’s fees. From that money, $10,000 was donated to Obama’s successful run for the Senate in the name of a Rezko business associate, according to the court filing and the source.
Rezko, who was part of Obama’s senatorial finance committee, also is accused of directing “at least one other individual” to donate money to Obama and then reimbursing that individual — in possible violation of federal election law.
A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald declined to comment…
Obama donated more than $44,000 in Rezko-linked contributions to charity last year, including the $10,000 donation mentioned in the court filing.
That money was donated to Obama by Joseph Aramanda, a Glenview businessman and Rezko associate who, sources have said, is the “Individual D” prosecutors say received the $250,000 in finder’s fees demanded by Rezko. Individual D did nothing to earn those fees, according to prosecutors.
The $10,000 contribution to Obama was given in Aramanda’s name on March 5, 2004, records show. While Obama’s camp has said the senator did not know Aramanda, Obama’s office hired Aramanda’s son as an intern in 2005, at Rezko’s urging…
Rezko is one of Obama’s earliest political patrons. Long known as a prolific fund-raiser, the Syrian-born businessman helped raise money for Obama’s political campaigns beginning in 1995, when Obama was running for the Illinois Senate.
In 13 years in politics, Obama has gotten at least $168,000 in campaign donations from Rezko, his family and business associates. The Sun-Times reported that figure last June. Obama’s “best estimate” seven months earlier had been that Rezko had raised no more than $60,000 for him.
When Obama ran for the U.S. Senate, Rezko held a June 27, 2003, cocktail party in Rezko’s Wilmette mansion, picking up the tab for the lavish event. Obama’s campaign staff has said it has no records to show who attended that party, or how much it cost.
Obama’s relationship with Rezko dates to 1990, when Obama, then a Harvard law student, interviewed for a job with Rezko’s development company, Rezmar Corp. Obama turned down the job, instead going to work for a small Chicago law firm — Davis Miner Barnhill. That firm did work on more than a dozen low-income housing projects Rezmar rehabbed with government funds.
Eleven Rezmar buildings were in the state Senate district Obama represented between 1996 and 2004. Many of the buildings ended up in foreclosure, with tenants living in squalid conditions, the Sun-Times reported last year. In one instance, Rezko’s company left tenants without heat for five weeks. Obama said he was unaware of problems with the buildings and minimized the legal work he’d done.
Obama’s relationship with Rezko grew closer in June 2005, when Obama and Rezko’s wife bought adjoining real estate parcels from a doctor in the South Side Kenwood neighborhood. Obama paid $1.65 million for the doctor’s mansion, while Rezko’s wife paid $625,000 for the vacant lot next door. Obama’s purchase price was $300,000 below the asking price; Rezko’s wife paid full price.
Six months later, Obama paid Rita Rezko $104,500 for one-sixth of the vacant lot, which he bought to expand his yard. In November 2006, he expressed regret about the transaction.
“It was a mistake to have been engaged with him at all in this or any other personal business dealing that would allow him, or anyone else,” Obama said, “to believe that he had done me a favor.” …
Gee, corruption uncovered in a Democrat candidate — and from Chicago no less.
Still, it is appalling how long this has been kept quiet by our watchdog media.
Unless it is just another example of Mr. Fitzgerald doing the DNC’s bidding.
After all, it is a bit strange that the political candidate would not be named in the indictment. It is part of the facts of the case.
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21 Responses to “Rezko Scam Helped Fund Obama Senate Run”
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January 19th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Syrian-born businessman:
Mohamadan?
Christian?
Other?
January 19th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
“A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald declined to comment.”
So the man who could not wait to get fact time in front the media mikes when it came to Scooter Libby now has nothing to say? Imagine that. Why has Fitzmagoo come out to ask “what did Obama know and when did he know it?” Or would that be too unpolitical correct to go after a “black” candidate and want to know his connection with a crook?
Anyone curious how Obama managed to buy a mansion for $1.65 million, not to mention that he bought it over a quarter mil below market price? I would be interested to know where a man who worked for a “community” organization managed to parlay his Illinois senate salary into the type of funds that permitted him to buy such a home.
But then, remember, Obama claims not to have any of his Illinois senate records left. Don’t know where they went, didn’t have the room to store them, has no correspondence with citizens, lobbying firms, or other political interested parties in Illinois. Strange behavior for a man who has had obvious political ambitions for a long time. Maybe he sent them to his cousin, Odinga, who lost the election in Kenya and is creating havoc there because of it, for safe keeping. Odinga, who is dedicated to democracy, named his oldest child “Fidel” in honor of that other democracy loving dictator, Castro.
There is so much to this man that is not being exposed. Is he just a slick speaking Al Sharpton with his “I will be inclusive but oh, by the way, do you remember Selma” talk?
January 19th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Wasn’t there some other records missing, in another campaign, Rose Law firm or something? Apparently, if you’re a Democrat, you can lose anything. But a Republican must retain every record, every conversation etc, Failure to do so automatically allows leftists to destroy your life.
January 19th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
OK, gang, I have to say this.
I have been watching politics since the days of John F. Kennedy. I was a Democrat until I, like Zell Miller, was deserted by my party and after four years of Jimmy Carter, I changed my registration and voted for Ronald Reagan. A decision I have never regretted.
We find ourselves with a mixed bag in the Republican candidates. I have followed some of their careers (McCain, Huckabee and Thompson) with great interest through the years. Being in Ron Paul’s district for years, I have known for a long time that Paul is a lunatic.
We are at a crossroads in this nation at to where we will go from here. Will we continue to exercise our right to be a sovereign nation? Will we lower corporate taxes allowing companies in the U.S. to become competitive in the world market and not force companies that decide to remain on our shores to pay more (35%) in corporate taxes than the taxes are to import products made in countries whose name we cannot pronounce and never knew existed 10 years ago? Will we enforce our immigration laws instead of pandering to a prospective voter base that we already know will vote Democratic as they have historically done? Will we quit worrying about our image overseas and worry about our security? We will finally understand that the very system of taxation we now experience is exactly what the Founding Fathers warned us about?
I have no love for John McCain and have watched him do not what was best for the Republican party, Americans or our conservative values. McCain is an opportunist who has consistantly done what was best for John McCain. Rick Santorum, who is one of the most conservative Republicans I have ever known, said he would back anyone but McCain. Yesterday, Tom DeLay (love him or hate him), who did what he thought was best for the nation and his party by resigning (although some of us wanted him to stay) has said that if McCain is the nominee, he just might have to sit this one out. I, cannot in good conscience, ever back McCain and will not donate to the RNC this year because of it. In my mind, the Straight Talk Express is really the Bullshit Special.
Huckabee is Elmer Gantry. I spent much time in Arkansas until two years ago and watched northwest Arkansas turn into Little Mexico. Tyson Foods, who will go to court this March accused of displacing American workers in favor of illegal immgrants who hired on for much less money, is a Huckabee campaign donator according to Open Secrets. Huckabee spins like a Dervish dancer with his “I have lower taxes in Arkansas 29 times” bull. He made have lowered taxes twice the number of times he raised them, but alas, the bottom line is the amount of taxes lowered and the dollar amount of the Arkansas tax increases were double what was decreased. The roads that he claims were made so perfect under his control, were really started under his predecessor. He convinced Arkansans to raise taxes to pay for the roads but never accounted for that money. I am a Christian, but I want a president, not a pastor. His record on paroles is abysmal.
Sorry, Governor Huckabee, you are not conservative. And I will not back you.
Now who does that leave?
Romney who I admit I know little about and Fred Thompson.
So far me, it’s Thompson all the way. Go to his web site and read his “white papers” and tell me if this is not the only candidate that has real answers toward real problems. He also thinks that it is time to home Mexico’s feet to the fire for their blatant disregard of our nation’s laws.
Thompson needs your help and if you are like minded in my thinking, please help him.
January 19th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
“The Tony Rezko I went into business with in 1989 was a humble, hardworking immigrant success story,” said Daniel Mahru, who partnered with Rezko in real estate ventures until they parted ways last year. “At 19 years old, he came off an airplane and couldn’t speak English, but over the years he must have brought a hundred Rezkos over from Syria. He worked so hard to take care of nephews, nieces and children.”
Then he added: “But the Tony Rezko I knew after the governor got elected was not the same person. He changed.”
In one of his rare extensive interviews, Rezko told the Tribune last year that he was most comfortable playing a behind-the-scenes role with politicians, as he had while developing endorsement and business deals with former heavyweight champion Ali in the 1960s and ’70s.
“Of all the years I was with Ali,” Rezko remarked, “you wouldn’t see my name in any places.”
Born in 1955 in Aleppo, Syria, to a Christian family in a Muslim community, Rezko settled in Chicago and earned an engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. But he gravitated toward real estate, at first buying vacant South Side parcels and building modest, single-family homes. He also invited a growing network of friends to invest in a variety of fast-food restaurants, starting with a chain of Panda Express Chinese eateries.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/.....7360.story
January 19th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Retire05, He’s my Man, too. I can’t understand why Republicans have become so…what? Liberal? He’s the only real conservative running. I’m supporting him with much needed money, first time I’ve ever donated to a political campaign.
If I can’t have him, then I would vote for Rudy, warts and all, because I think he would not play political correct games with the terrorists and those nations that support them. I don’t like some of the things he did as NYC mayor, but his actions during 911 were pretty awesome, at least to my tiny little lurkin’ mind.
Otherwise, I sit this one out again. Can’t support any of the others.
January 19th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I like Fred too, was excited when he first indicated he might jump in. But time passed him by. When he did get in he ran an awful campaign. There were times when I didn’t see him for long periods of time that I thought Dennis the Menace’s UFO had kidnapped him.
Tonight he did poorly again in SC. He came out early and gave a speech, that although it wasn’t an “I’m dropping out” speech, it was so close to one he missed a golden opportunity. He’s going home to see him hospitalized mom and my money says Monday or Tuesday, you’ll hear the “I’m dropping out” speech. So those who want to send him money, unfortunately you’re flushing it down the drain.
January 19th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
McCain runs a good chance of getting the nomination. After all, the MSM has been stumping for him for weeks. Why not? He is just Hillary with a military history.
I heard Rick Santorum (a staunch conservative) say that he would back ANYONE but McCain because McCain never sided with his own party on any legislation. Then yesterday, a man who resigned rather than put his party and his nation through a lot of crap during last year’s elections, Tom DeLay, said that if McCain is the nominee, he will sit this one out.
Why does McCain draw such contempt from fellow Republicans? Five words: HE IS A FRIGGIN’ LIBERAL.
I hope with coming in third, Thompson will at least hang in there for Florida. But my guess is that he will not. And that is America’s loss. At that point, I will back Romney.
But McCain? I would rather vote for [gasp] Hillary as there is no difference between a Democratic Socialist and a Republican Socialist.
January 19th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
retire05…you had your little unchallenged rant earlier and now you have your second one. So now I’m going to have mine.
You say McCain only won in SC because the MSM has been stumping for him. Actually, he won because of the military vote and old people (some of which happen to be retired military. So I guess what you’re saying is that our wonderful military, our wonderful present day warriors have been dupped by the MSM. You’re also saying the senior citizenry of SC has been dupped by the MSM. Although I don’t vote there, I can tell you that what you have said is personally insulting. Do you really think we are all that stupid? Do you really think you are the yardstick by how all of us should vote? You are stating to sound like a bitter loser Retire05….kind of like Santorum and Delay. And please, dispense with the bullshit. Santorum says McCain NEVER sided with his own party on any legislation? Really? Would you like to prove that for us….give is some examples? Now whose being led by a BS artist?
McCain has his faults. McCain has made mistakes. He wasn’t my first choice, but the choices are getting thin, so I’ve decided to support the man who I believe will be the best leader in the war on Islamic Jihadists. Now you may think Hillary is better equipped to do that if McCain is the nominee, so you go ahead and support her. Help yourself. But if you do that, you have no business haning around sites like this. But for God’s sake, quit blaming everything that doesn’t go your personal way on the stupid unwashed masses being led by the MSM’s leashes. It just ain’t so.
/rant
January 20th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
“Do you really think we are all that stupid?”
How many times do I have to say this? One half are below average.
January 20th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
“How many times do I have to say this? One half are below average.”
You said it plenty of times….so much so that it appears to be the only thing you bring to the table. However, to add some intelligent discourse, I consider the military and vet (retired military) population to be on the top half of that line you love to cite. And senior at least above average, if for no other reason, they have lived longer and something has rubbed off….unless they are blue haired raisins living in FL.
(Full disclosure…..I belong to all three of the groups…retired military, vet and senior)
January 20th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
…and probably blue-haired.
nyuk nyuk
January 20th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
DW…prepare for incoming……
January 20th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
LMAO!
January 20th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Don’t know how anyone else feels, but the photo at the top of this thread makes me feel ill. We (as conservative Americans need to get really busy) are going to have 4 more years of those clowns plus some that are apparently much worse if we don’t win in Nov 2008.
January 20th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Pagar….You’re right of course. Which is why everyone needs to get behind the candidate nominated on the republican side, whomever that may be. It’s obvious the party is split right now. We are all over the place. But failure to rally behind the eventual nominee will ensure defeat. That’s much worse than having someone in the WH that may be ideologically further to the right or left of what someone wants.
January 20th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
WI, I agree wholeheartedly, No one who believes in America is going to be better off by allowing the Democrats to win in Nov. We have to get ourselves, our friends and neighbors to understand how serious this election is and get out the vote to win this one for America. We have to get the best candidate we have and back him 100%.
January 20th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Obama’s Mr. Inside Out was a fugitive as well no?
January 20th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Don’t know who this guy is but it would be interesting if any of this was legit and dots connected… some of the names raise an eyebrow or two….
http://alialarabicolumn.blogsp.....rezko.html
http://alialarabicolumn.blogsp.....qatar.html
January 20th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I think he’s an arrogant asscrunch. Anyway, remember, the damn-o-crats said they
were going to rid Washington of its culture of corruption……….and then replace it with their own.
I heard Nanci Pelosi was going to be Hillaries running mate (and Ol’ toad Bills first mate)
January 21st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
“Mr. Fitzpatrick doing the DNC’s bidding”. Please spare me with this nonsense, (and I don’t want to hear about Scooter, again, for God’s sake….). Daley and his Dem/Repub. buddies in the Illinois Combine are counting the minutes until Fitzgerald leaves town. This statement implies that Daley and his pals DON’T have any influence over the DNC? Give me a break…..
The scum being exposed by Fitzgerald turning over rocks will figure more prominently if Obama becomes the nominee….. Hillary is on a short leash since there may be blowback… Y’all should be rooting for Fitzgerald to finish his job here in Illinois if you are seriously concerned about seeing Obama or Hillary in the White House…….