Gov's Fund-Raiser Does Not Show Up For Court
CHICAGO Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s top fund-raiser was a no-show in federal court for an arraignment Friday, but he is not yet considered a fugitive.
Antoin “Tony” Rezko, 51, of Wilmette, is named in a 24-count federal indictment accusing him of taking part in an elaborate scheme to shake down companies doing business of the state.
Rezko’s attorney, Joseph J. Duffy, told U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel in court that the defendant is traveling and plans to return to face the charges next week.
The close adviser to Gov. Blagojevich failed to appear for arraignment on charges and loan fraud.
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First Lady Patti Blagojevich was a Rezko business partner for about a decade, receiving more than $38,000 in real estate commissions from him in 2004.
A native of Syria who founded multiple companies here, Rezko has reportedly been traveling in Europe and the Middle East for several months. And more than $25,000 in property taxes on his huge North Shore mansion have not been paid. This is not the first time Rezko's been late paying his huge property tax bill. He was 16 days late last March.
CBS 2 News has learned that a potential witness at Rezko's upcoming trial said, "Rezko does not intend to return to the United States, ever."
--A native of Syria who founded multiple companies here, Rezko has reportedly been traveling in Europe and the Middle East for several months. --
Syria - very interesting.