Posted on 03/18/2008 10:09:33 PM PDT by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
The government's star witness in the corruption trial of Antoin "Tony" Rezko took the stand Tuesday and in just 48 minutes laid out a stunning personal tale of bribery, treachery, rampant drug abuse and a precipitous fall from grace.
In a brief but vivid prologue to what is expected to be days of testimony, one-time political insider Stuart Levine said he had illegally greased contracts to sell tires to the city's Streets and Sanitation Department and supply school buses to the Chicago Board of Education and even health insurance to members of a postal workers union.
Levine, 62, identified one of his partners in bribery as former Chicago Ald. Edward Vrdolyak, who is facing federal criminal charges in a related case.
Prosecutors say Levine and Rezko worked hand in hand to corrupt two state boards in a scheme to extort kickbacks from firms seeking government business or regulatory approval. Levine, a member of both panels, allegedly took direction from Rezko, a friend and fundraiser of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Testifying as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, Levine quickly made it clear how thoroughly his high-flying life had unraveled since federal agents swooped down on him several years ago.
He made $9 million to $10 million early this decade in a variety of investments, consulting jobs and business ventures, Levine told jurors. And now? "Currently I'm an independent contractor for Chicago Messenger Service," Levine said. "I deliver packages." He said he makes $800 a week.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Rezko Chicago Trib. ping
bump
Outside Chicago - where this seems to be business as usual - the MSM has completely ignored the fact that BO is the product of a corrupt political machine.
MSM might ignore a lot of things.
We don’t.
Bump for Rezko story.
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