“Ata testified he wanted a job with the state of Illinois — not for the $127,000/year salary — but as a way to redeem himself in Chicago’s Arab community after he had been forced into taking an early retirement from his prestigious chemical enginnering job after Sept. 11.
Duffy also challenged Ata’s testimony regarding what Rezko told him about Karl Rove and an Illinois GOP operative, Robert Kjellander, plotting to replace Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Duffy asked Ata, “you believe Tony Rezko could actually influence President Bush?” Ata, replied, “No.” Duffy followed by saying, “Well, the president chooses the U.S. attorney, right?” Ata replied, “Yes.”
“So you’re suggesting that Mr. Rezko had the influence and power to influence the president?” Ata replied, “Tony Rezko informed me that Bob Kjellander was working with Karl Rove to change the U.S. attorney in Chicago.” Karl Rove’s attorney denies this claim.”
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“Former White House aide Karl Rove is being linked to a conspiracy surrounding Tony Rezko’s corruption trial.
The connection was made early this morning, when prosecutors told a U.S. district judge they want to call to the stand a former Illinois state official named Ali Ata.
Prosecutors say Ata — who pleaded guilty to corruption charges on Tuesday — can testify to conversations he had with Rezko about efforts to stop the criminal investigation.
Prosecutors say the plan was for Republican National Committee member Robert Kjellander to work with Rove to have U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald fired. Getting rid of Fitzgerald would allow them to find someone else so that “individuals who have been cooperating in the investigation will be dealt with differently.”
Rove attorney Robert Luskin says Rove “does not recall” Kjellander ever speaking to Rove about removing Fitzgerald, and Rove never has spoken to anyone at the White House or Justice Department about removing Fitzgerald.”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,335592,00.html