Chicago Crime Update: No Appeal Bond for Conrad Black, Jury Will See Photos of Rezko's House

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 06:31:59 PM EST
Tags: Tony Rezko, Barack Obama, Conrad Black (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Two news items from Chicago today. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied an appeal bond for Conrad Black, while granting one to his two co-defendants. The British publishing magnate must report Monday to a federal prison in Coleman, Florida to start serving his 6 1/2 year sentence.

While the Court said there's a substantial issue on the fraud convictions (which, if decided in defendant's favor, likely would result in a reversal or new trial being granted) it found no such issue on Black's obstruction of justice conviction. The old coverup -- it gets you every time.

In the Anton Rezko trial which begins with jury selection Monday, the judge ruled today that photos of Rezko's mansion will come into evidence because it shows his opulent lifestyle and some of the alleged unlawful fundraising activity took place there.[More...]

Rezko, charged in a scheme to bribe and corrupt Illinois officials, held numerous fundraising events at his Wilmette mansion, including one for the 2004 senate campaign of Obama that raised more than $60,000.

Obama is not considered a target of the federal corruption investigation, and his campaign staff says any contribution tied to Rezko has since been donated to charity.

The Judges' ruling in Rezko is here (pdf).

For those who say this trial won't touch Obama because he did nothing wrong, it looks like while that should be the case (and I agree there's no indication Obama did anything improper or illegal) the media may not be willing to give him a publicity pass after all.

The ruling indicated that witnesses will testify about events that took place at Rezko's home, but it does not indicate whether the Obama fundraiser, held in June 2003, would be one of the events.

Several of Rezko's associates, also figure in the investigation, attended and contributed to Obama.

An earlier motion by prosecutors detailed two instances in which Rezko directed others to make campaign contributions to "a political candidate" who has since been identified by Chicago papers as Obama.

< New Texas Poll: It's Not Over Yet | Iraq: A Failure of Democratic Leadership >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Chicago Crime Update: No Appeal Bond for Conrad Black, Jury Will See Photos of Rezko's House | 73 comments (73 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

the tide is turning (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Nasarius on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:06:21 PM EST

The story about Obama waffling on public financing is on the front page above the fold of the NYT today.

Maybe it won't be as nasty as 2000 and 2004, but the chances are slim for favorable coverage.

Too late - (none / 0) (#30)
by kenosharick on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:28:10 PM EST

even if they are. No way to stop the Barack bandwagon from taking the nomination. I fear an onslaught of negative stories suddenly appearing then.


TL Fundraiser In Progress (none / 0) (#36)
by FoxholeAtheist on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:43:37 PM EST

******************
Don't mind me I'm just tucking in here with a fund-raising suggestion:

Let's all donate something tonight before we log out, no matter how big or small - according to our individual means.

Heads up: I'll be posting this elsewhere tonight at TL.


: I gave at the office. (none / 0) (#42)
by oculus on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 09:05:57 PM EST

dont count your chickens before they hatch tho (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by athyrio on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:50:18 PM EST

cause Hillary might pull it out after all...NPR cited numbers tonite that she beats the GOP much larger numbers than Obama and no I don't have a link....

: Fine By Me (none / 0) (#38)
by squeaky on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:55:15 PM EST

I am not a cultist.

Let me guess (5.00 / 1) (#52)
by NJDem on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 10:18:29 PM EST

you named yourself squeaky because you're "squeaky clean"? :)

Again, we'll know more once the trial starts, but the Chicago Tribune has said BO's name will come up in the trial. So regardless of the context, it will not be good news for his campaign.

With regard to my "venom," it's pretty clear Rezko fits the description of a slumlord--so I don't get why you are defending him. And BO knew that there is such a thing (whether fair or not, as I said originally) as guilt by association because when it was brought up in the debate (AFTER he went after HRC about Walmart) because he referred to him as 'that gentleman' that said he only did 5 hours of work for him--when we all know he's had a personal relationship with him for nearly 20 years.

: trial (none / 0) (#67)
by bigbay on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:09:36 AM EST

How can Dems nominate a guy who's former campaign finance chairman is going on trial the entire presidential cycle ? It'll be on the news every night.

Does anyone know the timeline? (5.00 / 1) (#60)
by Prabhata on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:04:24 AM EST

Please correct any of this because I'm not sure about the chronology.
Here is my understanding.

It was well known fact that Rezko was being investigated. It was during this time that Obama contacted Rezko about the property that was on sale, the house and the lot next to it.
Obama buys the house for 300K less than the list price (houses are selling like hot cakes in 2005), and Rezko's wife buys the lot at full price so that both properties close at the same time.
Rezko gets indicted and at that point Obama asks Rezko to sell a strip of the lot next to his house and Obama pays the proportionally based on the appraisal.
Obama has given to charity (is there a total) the money Obama received as contribution from Rezko.

If the chronology is right, why would Obama contact a person that is being investigated, to help him close the deal that meets the seller's stipulation that the two properties close at the same time. I'm not a politician, and I would not have anything to do with someone who is being investigated. Also, when one looks at the lot and the Obama's house, one can visually see that the house needs part of the lot for access. Obama's purchase of the strip of land is really a required space that most houses would have. The whole deal smells, even if "there are no indications" that there is something wrong.

Obama calls it "a boneheaded mistake", I call it bad judgement. I say that Obama's judgment gets clouded when his personal interest benefits.

Those defending Obama will tell you (none / 0) (#61)
by oculus on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:12:02 AM EST

The house and lot had been on the market for a while, there had been other offers, including by the Obamas, but they were all lower than the Obama offer the seller accepted.

Not sure when Ms. Rezko sold 1/6 of the lot to the Obamas in comparison with when her husband was indicted.

Chicago Sun-Times alleges about $200,000 in campaign donations are attributable to Rezko's efforts. Last I read was that Obama campaign had contributed about $168,000, and was working on tracing for additiona. such donations. Mat have given more to charity since I last read about it, which was immed. after the NV caucuses.

I think Obama acknowledged to one of the Chicago newspapers he mad a mistake in judgment re the house purchase with Ms. Rezko buying the adjoining lot.


Help me here (none / 0) (#62)
by Prabhata on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:24:07 AM EST

Oculus -- Is my understanding correct that when it was known that Rezko was being investigated, Obama contacted him about the house and the lot?


It is interesting. A defender of Obama (none / 0) (#63)
by oculus on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:33:31 AM EST

at DK wrote a diary saying, basically, nothing to see here, but proceeded to lay out talking points. He seemed to imply it was a mere coincidence Ms. Rezko ended up buying the lot on the same day the Obamas bought the property with the house on it. When I asked the diarist if that's what he meant, he acknowledged the Obamas and Ms. Rezko worked together to accomplish the purchases. Not sure who approached who first though. I'm assuming the Obamas approached the Rezkos, since the Obamas wanted the house but couldn't swing buying the lot too. Rezko was definitely under investigation at the time.


Obama admitted contacting Rezko (none / 0) (#65)
by Prabhata on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:39:58 AM EST

I just don't know when it became public knowledge that Rezko was being investigated. The house deal closed June 2005. The market was hot, and even if the house was on the market for 6 months, as Obama said, that is not unusual for an expensive property. People hold out to get the price they want.


: I thought Obama pretty much sd. that is (none / 0) (#66)
by oculus on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:43:34 AM EST

why it was a boneheaded mistake. If Rezko hadn't been under criminal investigation, Obama would look a lot better here.

Some deals have a bad smell (none / 0) (#64)
by Prabhata on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 12:34:52 AM EST

The Obama and Rezko deal beg the question:

Why would Obama have any contact with someone who is being investigated.
The two buyers, are connected because both sales had to close at the same time, hence there is co-ordination.
Were the two properties listed with MLS (Multiple Listing Service) describing them as two independent sales and with the stipulation that the sale of both properties close at the same time? Why? I've heard it, but I've seen nothing that supports it, like the MLS listing.
Has the broker been questioned on the deal by Fitzgerald.

: why ? (none / 0) (#68)
by bigbay on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:11:31 AM EST

They were friends. Obama knew this guy for 15 years. And yes, it's Chicago, he knew he was dirty.

Nice digs. (none / 0) (#1)
by oculus on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 06:45:39 PM EST

I love green tile roofs. (none / 0) (#2)
by Kathy on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 06:46:56 PM EST

No indication (none / 0) (#3)
by 1jane on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 06:58:26 PM EST

As Jeralyn fairly pointed out, there is no indication that Obama did anything improper or illegal.

thank you so much (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by Kathy on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 06:59:06 PM EST

1jane, because we weren't clear on that.


HAHAHAHAHAHAHA (none / 0) (#5)
by athyrio on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:02:08 PM EST

Kathy you never fail to make me laugh lol.....


yea kathy... (none / 0) (#6)
by mindfulmission on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:02:08 PM EST

... and you comment made things so much clearer and more substantial.


: thank you, mindful (none / 0) (#8)
by Kathy on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:14:46 PM EST

I have been watching you for pointers!

There's a lot we won't know until the trial starts (none / 0) (#9)
by NJDem on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:33:06 PM EST

But the more people learn about what BO himself admitted was "boneheaded" (i.e. seeking the help of Rezko to buy his house even tough he was under federal investigation) does not help support BO's argument that he's a new kind of politician with superior judgement.

I think there might also be more to the house story because BO recently said Rezko toured the house with him, which is new information. So it makes you wonder what else is there?

Also, the press overseas/UK has some real shady stories about Rezko, which also may not help BO if they turn out to be true or come out in this trial. I know it's guilt by association, and while that may not, it's a political reality.

"Speaking only for me" (none / 0) (#12)
by Kathy on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:45:26 PM EST

as BTD says--talking here as just a regular joe on the street, it smells mighty stinky that Rezko (allegedly) directed folks to donate money to Obama, then reimbursed said folks for their donations. We are talking tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of dollars.

Why do this? Did he just really, really like Obama? Was he doing it as a favor to the governor, to whom he (allegedly) gave lists of people who should get government jobs? Did he just think Obama was nice?

These questions need an explanation. The land deal...okay. Boneheaded, I got ya, let's move on, whatever. Why was Rezko funnelling this money into Obama's campaign coffers?


He Gave Money To Democrats (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by squeaky on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:53:31 PM EST

Mostly in Ill where he did business. Obama was not a special case. Here is a list.


: Why? (none / 0) (#18)
by Kathy on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:56:56 PM EST

Why did he give tens of thousands of dollars to democrats like Obama?

: And gave money to Gore and Kerry (none / 0) (#21)
by dannyinla on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:01:20 PM EST

as well as numerous Republicans.

: How many of them did he help (none / 0) (#57)
by LatinoVoter on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 11:28:57 PM EST

buy a mansion?
How many of them wrote letters of support to city hall on his behalf?
How many of them put Tony Rezko on their senatorial finance committee?
How many of them gave highly prized internships to the children of the donors that Rezko directed to donate and then repaid?

Look out for the Rethuggernaut landmines! (none / 0) (#24)
by Ellie on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:10:10 PM EST

This baby's set to blow in Nov.

I'm not up on the details of this potential scandal and if this comment is OT, nuke it. However, joining the shorthand of

Massachusetts Democrat (TAXES!)
San Francisco Democrat (Teh GAY!!!)

is Chicago Democrat (ELECTION FRAUD!!! ergo any dirty trick they use to "prevent" that is actually righteous.)

Black Voters the Repugs Can't Disenfranchise will unfairly be registering and voting! To cast Votes they'd have to count in front of God and everyone! How unfair! (If Obama goes all the way, this is what the ratf*ckers will be using to take him down.)

The Rovian Rethuggernaut just keeps going to the same old cheat, deflect and smear playbook and adding the predictable thugging and depriving people of recourse.

They're obvious and repetitive; lizard brained.

"These people aren't very bright." [/Deep Throat in All the President's Men]

Note that the cult smear didn't work. It's not dead yet but it didn't get traction. (If his following is enthralled as the wingnuts were with Bush after 9/11, their personal Republican money machine and govt toy, they're screwed.)

The "leaked" photo: held hope of being that Dukakis in a tank moment or that Kerry hunting and Kerry windsurfing moment. (Didn't go anywhere.)

This Rezko thing's supposed to be their "Whitewater" cudgel.

Hope this isn't OT, but the gang that's out laying the landmines isn't being shy about it; IMO they WANT their supporters to know they're doing this to make the election close enough to steal again, or have enough croneys in place for a witch hunt should Obama get in.

Damn the reception on this crystal ball. It just went all HBO=logo snow-globe on me.

HRC's are in place from, well, the last 15 yrs.


Really? (none / 0) (#10)
by squeaky on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:40:37 PM EST

does not help support BO's argument that he's a new kind of politician.....

Compared to who? Bush never admits mistakes, even minor ones like Obama did.

Sounds like a change to me. Where have you been for the last seven years?

House (none / 0) (#11)
by honora on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:41:20 PM EST

I think that most Americans buy a house that they can afford. Or else they wait until they can. It shows the arrogance to the Obamas that they would turn to Rezko (even if he were not under investigation) and get him to 'facilitate' the purchase. It is silly to say that there is nothing there, Obama is bought and paid for by Rezko and probably many others.

What? (none / 0) (#14)
by squeaky on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:48:22 PM EST

Haven't you noticed that there is record debt in America, a sub-prime disaster?

Most Americans will get as much as they can, not with respect to what they can afford. It is the American way.


: Oh come on (none / 0) (#23)
by honora on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 08:04:57 PM EST

Making a stupid financial decision is not the same thing as finding a sugar daddy to sell your soul to. The desire to get more than you can afford is the same, but the two situations are light years apart.

umm... (none / 0) (#70)
by mindfulmission on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 08:47:04 AM EST

... he could afford the house.

Rezko didn't help him afford the house.


: But BO couldn't afford the driveway (none / 0) (#73)
by Cream City on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 11:47:48 AM EST

on the rest of the parcel, so the Rezkos bought that for the Obamas and then sold the driveway to them. Without it, the Obamas' house would lose a lot of value. And now sources conflict on whether what is left of the Rezkos' lot is buildable; the Obamas fence allows only them access, the new owner of the lot (another lawyer for Rezko) can't even get on the lot because Secret Service now blocks anyone but the Obamas from what is now their driveway, etc. . . . Any homeowner understands this -- especially those of us also without driveways or the land for them.

after Bush I will never again ignore any report (none / 0) (#13)
by athyrio on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:48:21 PM EST

about a politician and think this needs explored to the fullest....Too important not to...

Sorry, (none / 0) (#16)
by NJDem on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:54:18 PM EST

I don't think that was a "minor mistake." "Boneheaded" was an understatment. I wouldn't take--let alone ask--for $10 from someone under federal indictment--and I'm not even a lawyer.

Nice try, but I am VERY keenly aware of what's been taken place the last 7 years and I'm not going to give him a pass because he did ONE thing unlike Bush. That would be like giving HRC credit for peeing sitting down.

: He Wasn't (none / 0) (#19