(Thanks to Evelyn Pringle for giving me the head's up.) The Chicago Tribune has an amazing story out today, which everyone else seems to be ignoring.Bottom line: Two months ago, Tony Rezko told his judge that an "overzealous" prosecutor -- that'd be Patrick Fitzgerald, folks -- was pressuring him to rat out his political associates, Governor Blagojevich and Senator Barack Obama.
But in a two-page typed letter, Rezko said he was never involved in any wrongdoing with either of the Democrats and wouldn't make up stories about them in an attempt to benefit himself.The Obama campaign has seized upon the wording of this letter to say "All clear!"
"There has been absolutely no suggestion at any point during the entire course of this trial that Sen. Obama was involved in any improper action or conduct involving Tony Rezko, and at no point has Sen. Obama been contacted for an interview or for any information about Tony Rezko," said Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt. "Nothing in this letter indicates anything to the contrary."Hear that high-pitched sound? It's whistling. Whistling in the dark.
Tony wrote that letter before conviction. Now that he is facing prison, he may be of a very different disposition. And even if he remains tight of lip, this letter gives us a very clear indication of where Fitz is heading.
When Rezko was convicted, Fitzgerald announced that he was going after larger fish:
The U.S. attorney for northern Illinois, Patrick Fitzgerald, declined a reporter's invitation to give Rezko any advice on whether he could shorten his impending sentence by talking. He did note enticingly, however, that "any defendant has the opportunity to seek to cooperate."So: Blagojevich and Obama are clearly in the prosecutors' sights. Remember, an FBI informant was in Rezko's office, and Fitz has wiretap evidence. Do you really think Fitzgerald would ask Rezko to rat out Obama if Obama weren't a rat?
And while he also wouldn't comment on what Wednesday's conviction means for the governor, Fitzgerald was clear that the trial showed Illinois is a cesspool of corruption.
"Anyone who followed the trial … had to be appalled by the conduct involved," he said.
The investigation is continuing, he noted.
We know how the Kossacks will handle the news: They'll turn on Fitzgerald and hound him mercilessly, Freeper-style. I expect the demonization process to start within 24 hours. Hey, if they can call Valerie Plame a criminal, those creeps are capable of anything.
19 comments:
Well you remember the South Carolina Debate when Clinton and Edwards met privately afterwards, that conversation centered on Rezko and Clinton told Edwards that there was more to the story. I think this may be the more the story.
Charles
By The Fault
Holy smokes! Thanks for the tip, Joseph.
If only he's get something BEFORE November!
"that conversation centered on Rezko and Clinton told Edwards that there was more to the story. I think this may be the more the story."
How do you know that Charles, where you there ?
Like with the non-existing whitey tape, you're talking about a potential non existing denunciation by Rezko of some imaginary crimes committed by Obama now that Rezko is tasting life in prison . This is not news, it's WISHFUL THINKING.
It's normal Fitz was going after Obama, like any good prosecutor, he's trying to use the fish he caught to bait a bigger fish. But it's not because he's trying that the bigger fish exists or that it's not only Blagovitch. Almost any politicians (D and R) from Illinois can be accused of knowing, meeting and getting money from Rezko.
I can't wait for the media to compare Obama's improper relationships with the improper relationships of McCain. And please, don't pretend the Clintons are angels who only got money from hard working Americans who sent 10$ checks.
The problem is not one politician like Obama, the problem is the system that requires politicians to raise millions from corporations and powerful individuals.
DEFINITION OF OBAMA "HOPE":
The sinking ship is half full not half empty.
TONY'S REAL PROBLEM:
If he rats out Barrry it has to be for a release from prison not a reduced sentence. Simply put, prison "brothers" will turn it into a "death" sentence.
<>_<> HIDE AND SEE
Bottom line, if Fitz didn't get the boot, he's dirty. DOJ has/is involved in a number of false, political prosecutions against Dems.
Thanks, anonymous coward 10:44! I knew you Obots wouldn't let me down.
In the real world, and in any election year prior to this one, anyone with this kind of baggage would have already been forced to drop out. We have our craven media and democratic leadership to thank for this coming train wreck. Let's hope it happens before August, or before November at the latest.
This isn't news until bigger fish are named. Until then, it's nothing but highschool gossip. Having done work in this field, when dealing with a potential middleman involved with bigger criminals, you always extend the offer of the possibility of playing ball. It doesn't have to have anything to do with a particular person in a prosecutor's sight. Sometimes it involves that and sometimes it doesn't. The point and desire from the prosecutor's side is to catch and prosecute those where there is evidence of a possible crime. People can't keep punting the rumor that the investigation of Rezko has something to do with Obama, but there's simply no evidence of that yet. Thus, when reported upon, no matter what the medium, it's irresponsible journalism. This isn't TV folks. The real world works a lot different.
TGFF ! (Thank goodness for Fitzgerald)
I'd bet on him versus the Kossacks, or anybody else, any day. Let the games begin.
anon 7:30 -- come off it.
The kind of offer made to Rezko is not "standard operating procedure."
After the conviction, Fitzgerald made statements clearly indicating that he felt powerful pols were just as guilty as Rezko is. And the evidence presented at trial certainly delivered an ugly picture of Blago and Obi.
Fitz won't act unless he feels that his case is close to air-tight. But Obots seem to be under the impression that "not yet indicted" is synonymous with "pure and wholesome."
In the real world, most of us understand that people do ugly things that may, in a strictly technical sense, leave one free of the shadow of prison bars.
As a state senator, Obama made sure that a law was passed -- an unneeded law -- giving Blagojevich full control over that hospital board. Blago went on to institute strict "pay to play" policies. Nobody got any contracts unless they made contributions to his campaign warchest.
And almost every time a contribution went to him, a smaller contribution went to Obama.
An indictment won't occur unless Fitz can prove a quid pro quo. That may never happen. But anyone with any sense knows damn well what went on.
I agree that the trial gave a bad picture of Blago. But you have to strech reality a lot to say that it depicted a very bleak picture of Obama compared to Blago, he was barely mentioned in the trial (read the article you linked to).
An honest question would be : could you be a politician in Chicago and avoid Rezko ?
A couple of things….
It’s important to remember that “Larger Fish” or “Bigger Fish” is plural for meaning “more than one”! And considering that I spent more than 26 years in a family who is smack dab in the middle of this mess it would be wise to not even try to guess how many this is.
Don’t discount that there are other as interesting situations involved here too. The “Combine” as it’s called enjoys being as thorough as they can so to not bring on trouble, but they have been known to be sloppy and not very good at some of their activities. Frankly, in some cases they are known to be really really bad.
Obama is in deep doo-doo and would be wise to look for options to get out of this mess. And I don’t mean look for ways to manipulate existing situations hoping to slither away either, that will only widen his problem and include many more.
There are a few possible new issues that will surprise many. Better fasten your seat belts!
There’s a lot more and my lips are sealed so I’ll end for now….
Marty Didier
Northbrook, IL
"There’s a lot more and my lips are sealed so I’ll end for now…"
Sounds like Larry Johnson and his "whitey tape", we're still waiting...
The prophets of Obama's doom keep on pushing the date. It's not what I call prophecy, but wishful thinking.
At least, unlike Kerry, you can't say that he's not fighting back this time: www.fightthesmears.com
Take it up with Marty, no name. I didn't write that, and I don't know what to make of it.
This is what Marty Didier from Il wrote in other blog :
"I was in a family for more than 26 years who joined a huge criminal system when I first married. Their job within this group is to launder “Drug and Gun Running” money straight into property using Mortgage fraud with Big Banks. The Clintons, Bush Family and others are directly involved in this system. It makes what was happening in Mena while Bill Clinton was Governor a child’s toy. Plus, Clyde O’Connor who was an owner/pilot of one of the Drug jet planes that was busted last year carrying TON's of Cocaine happens to be my ex-sister-in-law’s brother. Everyone on the Internet is looking for the “money man” behind Clyde and I know for fact he is my ex-sister-in-law’s husband, my ex-brother-in-law. Please note that the “Gun Running” part has already been in the news with Chiquita and Drummond however what many don’t know is that both of these companies plus others also are/were shipping in huge amounts of drugs. In the 90’s, Chicago alone was getting a weekly $100 Million dollar shipment of drugs that was split up with Florida and New York as well. That amounts to more than $5 Billion per year and there were other huge weekly shipments going elsewhere! Guess who has been feeding our kids cocaine for all these years! You’ll be shocked to know what the money is being used for and who all is involved!
As far as Rezko, this is personal for me as I fear that my youngest son is linked in with Rezko’s illegal activities. The Federal Criminal system that the Clintons are part of, are blocking everyone from surfacing the real truth with the crimes involved.
Hillary and Bill opened the wrong closet this time!!
A friend of mine with another past experience and I would be willing to help Obama if he needs it. This could be something we are all looking for. "
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/01/tony.html
"It’s more expected that in the end, we’ll see the real truth and all of these different comments trying to swing our opinions are disinformation.
I was in a family for more than 26 years. Their job is to launder stolen money straight into Property using Mortgage Fraud techniques with Big Bank administrators in high level positions. Believe this if you can – the problem we are witnessing actually includes the Governor of Illinois and goes all the up into the Federal level. Make no mistake about what I’m saying because what will surface in the future will be most shocking and difficult to believe."
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/04/_andrew_zajac_this_mornings.html
in 2006, he was also the member of that family for 26 years...
"Actually we’re in far bigger trouble than what has already surfaced. I was in a family for more than 26 years who joined Organized Crime shortly after marrying my wife. This isn’t any ordinary Organized Crime system that her family joined and has connections all the way to the top of our Political System. If anyone feels wiretapping is shocking, just wait until many of the other crimes surface and you’ll feel wiretapping is small potatoes. However, wiretapping is important since they use it to support their other criminal activities.
Right now all that we hear about is Political Corruption, but I can assure you that there are other levels above Corruption that are even more shocking and also very scary. I know about a lot of this in detail but won’t comment on it now. Eventually, I would expect these other levels to surface for all to see. The post talked about “Who Polices the White House”, but I’m afraid the problem is way far bigger than that!
Something needs to be done about this NOW! I guarantee you that once you hear what’s been going on, life won’t ever be the same!"
http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2006/01/who_polices_the_white_house.html
Someone answered: "it would be great if Marty Didier went beyond implication and spelled out in detail the "Criminal" web he exhaustively refers to on many different sites. Thanks in advance for that."
I would also like if he could give more details and why he only introduced Obama in his "criminal web" story since he's the nominee.
To all that try and blow this off saying "this isn't news until hes caught" get real, im sure you blew off his associations with Ayers, and his being ok with the anti-USA hate in his church. Wake UP! you are so caught up in his image and PERFORMANCE (bc he is an actor) that you, like the media try and give him a pass.
Yes I blew off his association with Ayers. There is nothing there to be upset about.
"Anti USA hate in his church?" .... more BS.
Some of what Wright said was silly but come on, just what did he say that actually should concern you?
"Do you really think Fitzgerald would ask Rezko to rat out Obama if Obama weren't a rat?" Yes. Here's why? He's a federal prosecutor and like any prosecutor, he fishes. Sometimes it works, the just found guilty party is ready to roll over on his pals. Other times, the guilty party is so chastened by the whole process, he/she decides to tell the truth, nope nobody more to rat out. It's the job of Fitzgerald and other prosecutors to go after people they're convinced are crooks to produce more crooks.
That process, in the interests of us law abider's, cannot be used to deduce that he thought Obama was guilty of anything (if this event even took place).
Study up a bit on prosecutors and basic logic before you use that thread to support your deductive case.
Post a Comment