Indicted political fundraiser Rezko arrested
CHICAGO (AP) - January 28, 2008 The U.S. Attorney's office and FBI Special Agent Tom Simon
confirmed the real estate developer and fast food magnate's arrest
at his home in suburban Wilmette. A hearing on whether to revoke
Rezko's bond was set for Monday afternoon.
Federal officials declined to discuss specifics of the alleged
bond violation.
After his arrest, Rezko sat reading at a defense table in U.S.
District Judge Amy J. St. Eve's courtroom, watched by two FBI
agents who refused to comment. The agents said reporters could not
speak with Rezko because he was "in custody."
The court was then closed to reporters until an afternoon
hearing in the case.
Rezko attorney Joseph Duffy appeared in court early Monday for a
brief hearing that was continued to later in the day. Duffy left
court saying he needed to get more information about the
allegations.
Rezko has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, attempted
extortion and money laundering, and is scheduled to stand trial
Feb. 25.
Rezko had long been a fundraiser for Obama. The Democratic
presidential candidate and senator from Illinois has said he had no
indication of problems with Rezko when he accepted thousands of
dollars in campaign contributions. When prosecutors unsealed their
charges against Rezko in 2006, Obama gave $11,500 in Rezko
contributions to charities.
Obama has since sought to distance himself from Rezko, even as
his main Democratic rival - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton - invoked
Rezko's name and his "slum lord business" during a recent debate.
The Obama campaign declined to comment on Rezko's arrest.
Earlier this month, Obama gave to charity more than $40,000 in
past political contributions from seven individuals with ties to
Rezko. The decision to donate the money contributed to Obama's
House and Senate campaigns - but not his current presidential bid -
came after a published report that Obama is the unnamed "political
candidate" in one paragraph of a 78-page prosecution document that
outlines the case against Rezko.
Obama also has had to answer questions about how Rezko became
involved in the purchase of the Obama family home as well as other
ties to Rezko that go back more than 15 years.
Obama has been accused of no wrongdoing involving Rezko or
anyone else.
Rezko also has been one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's leading
fundraisers.
Rezko is charged in a 24-count indictment with pressuring
businesses seeking work before two state regulatory boards to make
campaign contributions and payoffs.
Once the estimated eight- to 12-week trial is over, Rezko still
will face federal charges alleging he swindled General Electric
Capital Corp. out of $10 million in connection with the sale of two
pizza restaurant chains.
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Associated Press Writer Don Babwin contributed to this report.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)