Excerpt:
For the past seven years, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has time and again put the Chicago machine through the prosecutorial cleaners.
Come next week, a product of the Windy City's political culture may be on his way to the White House. Now would be a good time to know if a President Obama would keep the pressure on his friends back home.
One of the first Obama political boosters, Tony Rezko, is at the center of the state's highest profile corruption case. Recall that in June the Chicago real-estate developer and Democratic fundraiser was convicted on 16 counts of influence peddling.
His sentencing was delayed this month to let Mr. Rezko "engage in discussions" with prosecutors. In other words, Mr. Fitzgerald wants him to spill the beans on Illinois corruption, possibly up to Governor Rod Blagojevich, perhaps in return for a shorter prison term.
(Mr. Rezko still faces trial in Chicago in a $10 million business fraud case, as well in Nevada over unpaid casino-gambling debts.)
The Blagojevich administration has been under investigation for years. Mr. Rezko, who raised money for the Governor, solicited $7 million in kickbacks from private firms in exchange for steering state contracts their way.
Prosecutors are now interested in toll highway vendor contracts granted by the administration with Mr. Rezko's involvement. They also are looking into who paid for the renovations of the Blagojevich home in Chicago; Mr. Rezko's defunct construction company was the contractor on the project.
Meantime, the Governor's approval ratings have sunk to 13%, and Democrats in the state House may move to impeach him.
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4 months after trial, Rezko is still in the same lousy lockup conditions he complained about
Despite scuttlebutt of him cutting a deal, his stay in solitary confinement remains constant
..expect Rezko to fall ill.
Impeach Blagojevich, if only.....
Thoughts?
My take: if Durbin likes him it can’t be good.
I’ve heard from some that he’s a fearless prosecutor, but I’ve noticed he’s spent a lot more time sending Republicans to jail than Democrats. And his kangaroo-court persecution of Scooter Libby was disgusting.
It’s not surprising that Dick Durbin wants to keep him on.
These guys throw an occasional gangster like Tony Rezko off the back of the sleigh to appease the wolves, but it’s unlikely that anyone is going to touch Mayor Daley or Hussein Obama. Blagojevitch screwed up, and they decided to sacrifice him, too. But the Machine is safe enough with Fitz in charge.
Rezko better be careful who he squeals on. But I’m sure Fitz will see to that.
Fitz is toast. He and all the rest of the U.S. Attorneys will be dismissed and replaced.
Turbin Durbin just assured the World, the Chicago Mob and RAT Party, and Rezko that come January 20th, first thing, Fitzgerald is water over the damn, and things are back to normal:-)
Dickbrain Durbin, the Pillsbury Doughboy, wants to get on Fitzgerald’s good side for fear Patrick will go after him soon.
SCUMBAG!!!