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The name of President Obama came into play this afternoon at the political corruption trial of former governor Rod Blagojevich as an associate of political fund-raiser Tony Rezko testified that Rezko asked him to write a $10,000 check to Friends of Obama. The Chicago Sun-Times reported in January 2008 that Glenview businessman Joseph Aramanda, who is testifying today, made the donation as part of a scheme orchestrated by Rezko. Aramanda gave $10,000 in campaign cash to Obama’s U.S. Senate campaign on March 5, 2004, according to records. The money came from part of a finder’s fee Aramanda received, but did...

As animated as ever, Adam has turned his questioning to Rod's alleged attempt to appoint Emil Jones, then-president of the state senate, to Barack Obama's vacant U.S. senate seat in exchange for Jones not calling a state ethics bill for a vote. Adam noted that the alleged deal was discussed in September 2008, before Obama won the presidential election. "President Obama hadn't won yet. He couldn't make a deal to do something until he had the ability to do it, could he?" Adam asked. Adam then turned to allegations that Blagojevich tried to shake down contractors for $500,000 in contributions...

Once Chris Kelly was charged in 2007, Rod Blagojevich took a more direct and active role in fund-raising, Monk said. Blagojevich picked up the phone and called people himself. He was more active. Then the brakes were going to be put on him. The Illinois Legislature in 2008 passed a far-reaching ethics bill that would keep him from soliciting donations from people who did business with the state. After Jan. 1, 2009, there was a fairly large group of donors who were no longer able to give him money Blagojevich thought: "It was overreaching and unfair because it focused only...

"Rod and Patti Blagojevich have long claimed they dipped into their own checking account to pay for personal home renovations set up by a company of convicted businessman Tony Rezko. But a newly released, 91-page filing from federal prosecutors alleges that Rezko secretly funneled tens of thousands of dollars to the former first couple by setting up a sham $40,000 real estate commission for Patti Blagojevich. Prosecutors say the money was then used to pay for work on the Ravenswood Manor home. The company overseeing the work on the home was a Rezko company, Chicago Construction Services."

SPRINGFIELD -- A key figure in the perjury investigation of U.S. Sen. Roland Burris died in an automobile accident Monday, authorities in far west-suburban Kendall County confirmed Tuesday. John Ruff, of Sandwich, Ill., was killed shortly before 3 p.m. when his 2001 BMW convertible crossed an oncoming lane of traffic and collided with a tree while he was driving eastbound on Rogers Road near Oak Brook Road in unincorporated Plano, said Kendall County Sheriff's Deputy Richard Pearson. John Ruff, a key figure in the perjury investigation of U.S. Sen. Roland Burris was killed in an automobile accident Monday in Kendall...