Tony Rezko guilty on 16 of 24 counts
CHICAGO (AP) - June 4, 2008 But the jury's mixed verdict acquitted Antoin "Tony" Rezko of
some of the most serious charges against him, including attempted
extortion. He has been accused of scheming to get bribes from
businesses seeking state contracts.
The jury found Rezko guilty of 16 of 24 counts Wednesday after a
nine-week trial.
Rezko has known Obama since he entered politics and was involved
in a 2005 real estate deal with the Democratic presidential
candidate, although testimony barely touched on their relationship.
Most of the focus was on shakedowns prosecutors say Rezko arranged
when he was a top adviser to Blagojevich.
Neither Blagojevich nor Obama has been accused of wrongdoing.
