Posted on 11/22/2011 10:48:27 AM PST by iowamark
Antoin “Tony” Rezko was sentenced today to 10½ years in prison for extorting millions of dollars from firms seeking state business or regulatory approval while he was a top fundraiser and adviser to then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Rezko's daughter broke down sobbing in the courtroom as U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve handed down the sentence.
Rezko apologized to the judge, saying, “I come to ask for God's forgiveness and the court's mercy."
"You were engaged in a very, very serious offense, Mr. Rezko" the judge said as she imposed the sentence.
Several family members called out 'we love you" to Rezko as he was led away.
"That's what an honest man deserves in this country!" one relative shouted outside the courtroom.
When others tried to quiet her, she said: "I don't care, put me in with him!"
In urging St. Eve to send a strong message with her sentence, Assistant U.S. Atty. Christopher Niewoehner spoke of Rezko's willingness to "divide up" the state of Illinois with Blagojevich and others for their personal financial gain.
"It doesn't get any worse than that for a private citizen," the prosecutor told the judge. "... We clearly have a problem with public corruption in Illinois."
Rezko has already served almost 4½ years in prison and will be credited for that time with the 10½-year sentence.
Rezko opted to enter jail after his June 2008 conviction, but his sentencing was delayed because of the possibility that federal prosecutors would call him as a witness at other key trials connected to the probe of the Blagojevich administration, including the former governor's retrial over the summer.
Rezko was never called to testify...
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
He’ll serve 4/7 of the time and get out in about 2 years, 4 months.
If he’s already lost 80 lbs..prison might ADD ten years to his life expectancy..
Restricted. I watched a 30 sec. ad and then no video.
If its federal time, Idi O-Dada can issue a pardon on 1-19-13.
So, he’s Blago’s adviser.
Nice whitewash MSM!
The Obot defenders in the comments are few, sputtering and pathetic!
“The reader comments are scathing regarding the omission of any mention of the Obama-Rezko ties and real estate deal.”
####
Yet SOMEONE keeps electing arrogant, corrupt, vile scum in Chicagoland year, after year, after year.......
Isn’t he a moslem?
Corruption in Chicago politics is an art.
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