Tony Rezko Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison

By Doug Powers  •  November 22, 2011 01:48 PM

**Written by Doug Powers

Strange… you don’t usually see stories about political corruption coming out of Chicago:

A Chicago-area businessman whose association with President Obama came under scrutiny during the 2008 presidential campaign has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for corruption charges related to kickback schemes.

Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who raised funds for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and Obama when he was an Illinois senator, was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison Tuesday for a money kickback scheme he was convicted of in 2008.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Rezko was sentenced by a federal judge for trying to make $7 million in kickbacks from companies trying to do business with Blagojevich.

Rezko’s now hoping President Obama pardons more than just turkeys tomorrow.

**Written by Doug Powers

Twitter @ThePowersThatBe

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Comments


  1. #1
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 1:52 pm, DonkeyHoatie said:

    Strange… you don’t usually see stories about political corruption coming out of Chicago:

    Of course not. Those aren’t news. It’s the old “dog bites man” vs “man bites dog” comparison. If they ever find a politician who’s NOT corrupt or a business deal that’s NOT fraudulent, well, that’ll be national headlines.

    (Yes, I know Doug was being sarcastic. I’m just playing along as if he wasn’t.)

  2. #2
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 1:55 pm, swmntman said:

    Doug said:…Rezko’s now hoping President Obama pardons…

    Even money on November 7th, 2012 — gonna need to cultivate business contacts as it were.

  3. #3
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 1:55 pm, letget said:

    Well bho will pardon tony before he pardons the border agent that is in prison for doing his job! I bet the number of pardons bho will be giving out in 2012 after he and mo get their crooked hind ends out our house will be enormous with all his crooked friends?
    L

  4. #4
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 1:56 pm, J S Ragman said:

    Gee, I sure hope he isn’t shot trying to escape.

  5. #5
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:05 pm, Collateral Damage said:

    letget is right. If the first “black” president had the balls to pardon Rich,
    The Jackass-In-Chief will pardon Rezco. He’s got to keep him quiet with that implicit promise. If the Jackass-In-Chief does pardon Rezco, then both the first “black” president and the first half-white president should be jailed for the rest of their natural-born lives for their crimes against humanity. They are precisely the reason why we are where we are!?!

  6. #6
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:15 pm, Ron P said:

    Got here too late. The first thing that entered my mind was PARDON. What are the Las Vegas odds on it being in the last hour Mr. BHO is President?

  7. #7
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:22 pm, cabrerski said:

    Uh-oh…I’m getting happy feet!

    But the fix is in, Rezko is out or dead by November 10 next year.

  8. #8
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:23 pm, Iowa Guy said:

    A pardon?? I’m betting on him being made a czar.

  9. #9
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:26 pm, T-Bone said:

    I am sure the LSM will be all over this as they vet Obama for the 2012 election.

    Something along the lines of a guy who lives in the neighborhood.

    Did the prosecutors even consider asking Rezko to squeal on Obama in return for a reduced sentence?

  10. #10
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:30 pm, Darthnoob said:

    Hopefully Obumble and Holder are soon to follow.

  11. #11
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:31 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    Nah. This is where Obeyme starts denying he ever knew the guy…you know, just like that Ayers fella who lived down the street. Rezko, you’re being kicked to the curb, doncha know.

  12. #12
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:38 pm, Green eyed Lady said:

    Prosecutors had been hoping for a total sentencing of 11-15 years, according to The Associated Press.

    “That’s about as bad as it can get in a political corruption case,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Niewoehner said according to the Sun-Times. “Illinois was for sale at the very top levels of our government.”

    ***

    Obama, then a lawyer at a small civil-rights firm, had been working for a church organization that was partnering with him. He denied any direct connection to Rezko.

    “I did about five hours worth of work on this joint project
    ,” Obama said at the time.

    And, Bill Ayers was just a guy in the neighborhood, doncha know…….. :roll:

  13. #13
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:44 pm, John Deaux said:

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:22 pm, cabrerski said:

    But the fix is in, Rezko is out or dead by November 10 next year.

    You left out the thrd option – cabinet position.

  14. #14
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:52 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    Obama, then a lawyer at a small civil-rights firm, had been working for a church organization that was partnering with him. He denied any direct connection to Rezko.

    “I did about five hours worth of work on this joint project,” Obama said at the time.

    Obama also considered and eventually bought a house in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood with the help of Rezko, who helped seal the deal by buying a nearby lot, according to ABC News.

    I remember people I bump into in the elevator, stood next to in the checkout line and certainly after having had dinner together.

    So while having spent ‘only’ 5 hours w/ someone doesn’t constitute a childhood friend, easily someone you should at the very least remember.

  15. #15
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:00 pm, NavyGal said:

    Didn’t Urkel acquire a dandy house in a super Chicago neighborhood with ‘assistance’ from Tony R?

  16. #16
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:02 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    In sharp contrast to his tough talk about ethics reform in government, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., approached a well-known Illinois political fixer under active federal investigation, Antoin “Tony” Rezko, for “advice” as he sought to find a way to buy a house shortly after being elected to the United States Senate.

    The parcel included an adjacent lot which Obama told the Chicago Tribune he could not afford because “it was already a stretch to buy the house.”

    On the same day Obama closed on his house, Rezko’s wife bought the adjacent empty lot, meeting the condition of the seller who wanted to sell both properties at the same time. [ABC News]

    Good thing Obama didn’t hang with him.

  17. #17
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:03 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Oops, I said hang. Didn’t mean anything racist, I meant as in Birds of a Feather.

  18. #18
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:05 pm, NavyGal said:

    Thanks, AlohaGuy; some snippets of my memory are triggered from interesting news stories. Also, didn’t the Obamas ‘acquire’ the vacant lot for pennies on the dollar not long after that?

  19. #19
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:09 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Feb. 20, 2008

    Watchdog groups are questioning why it took Sen. Barack Obama more than a year to disclose additional details of his dealings with indicted fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko.

    While Rezko was known to be under federal investigation, Obama toured a Chicago-area home with him to get his opinion of the property, Obama’s campaign revealed to Bloomberg News for a story published Monday. The politician later bought the home, with Rezko’s help, who bought the adjoining lot in what was effectively a package deal.

    Until then, Obama has professed trouble recalling such details during interviews with reporters.

    Responding to questions about Rezko and the home sale last month, the Obama campaign repeatedly cited the candidate’s on-the-record statements: “I don’t recall exactly” conversations about the house with Rezko; “I am not clear” how Rezko decided to join in the purchase; and “I may have mentioned to him the name of a [developer] and he may at that point have contacted that person.” [ABC News]

    Yeah – the guy’s wife chips in $92,000 to buy the lot next door as part of a package deal – but that’s so hazy…how many of us haven’t had the problem of remembering how the wife of a guy under investigation spent $92,000 on us?

  20. #20
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:10 pm, letget said:

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:05 pm, NavyGal said:

    bho might have been getting crook points from dear nan, dingy, kerry, and all others who scam the public for their own interest?
    L

  21. #21
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:12 pm, stuckinIL4now said:

    Yes, search “rezko obama land deal” and read the stories from 2008 about Obama’s gem of a shady land deal involving Rezko that the lameblameshamestreammedia ignored. There’s more proof there of wrongdoing than all of Herman Cain’s accusers put together. It’s amazing how this Teflon Prezuhdunce escapes the stench of associations with the likes of Rezko, Ayers and Rev Wright.

  22. #22
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:13 pm, Green eyed Lady said:

    Video: Obama heckled by Occupiers in New Hampshire; Update: Rahm Emanuel heckled by Chicago Occupiers, too

    Karma.

    It’s either karma, or just desserts, or chickens coming home to roost… :lol:

    http://hotair.com/archives/2011/11/22/video-obama-heckled-by-occupiers-in-new-hampshire/

  23. #23
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:17 pm, regularguy said:

    I still think anyone actually bringing forth any connection Obama has with Rezco and Blagojevich’s shenanigans will quickly be found floating in Lake Michigan. At least until after his term ends. And, I believe there IS a connection. and this will come out after Obam’s reign ends. Maybe someday we’ll also see Obama frogmarched off to jail. One can dream.

  24. #24
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:17 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    AlohaGuy,

    Think of the vanity and arrogance that represents? It had to be this particular house! There’s lots of nice houses in that neighborhood. Pick one!

    When MM moved from DC was it all ‘handled’ thru some ‘fixer’? Or uh… did she just use a realtor, pay the commission and closing costs like the rest of us?

    What Rezko really represented to Bammie was his first brush w/ clout. And there was no way he was going to let that one slide! This was his invite to the bigtime…

  25. #25
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:19 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Hmm, I’ve lost my reference for $92,000, so let me link to a story about the deal

    Oops – a goof. I’m counting like a Democrat, it was a $925,000 favor I guess.

  26. #26
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:23 pm, cabrerski said:

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:19 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    $92,000…$925,000…what’s the difference between a few cronies? Hey, pass that bag of money, will you?

  27. #27
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:25 pm, stuckinIL4now said:

    This story has, if ever so briefly, interrupted the obsession by the local Chicago media of fawning over Jay Cutler and his surgery worthy thumb. Go Packers!

    BTW, those turkeys in the WH Osorry is pardoning tomorrow wouldn’t happen to include himself and Omama turkey, would it?

  28. #28
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:42 pm, madshark said:

    Rezko’s now hoping President Obama pardons more than just turkeys tomorrow.

    Doug, if I may politely disagree with you, I think Rezko would qualify as a turkey.

  29. #29
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:54 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    What’s the over/under on conjugal visits from Barney Frank?

  30. #30
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:54 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Marshall_Will said: , cabrerski said:

    They’re all just “a guy in the neighborhood.” When Obama has coffee at Bill Ayers house does Rezcko bring the donuts?

    Rezko: “Hey kid – get off my lawn!”

    Obama: “Tony, you’re such a hoot, ‘my lawn’, hahaha!”

  31. #31
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:58 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    The Sun-Times bluntly asked Obama, “Why didn’t alarm bells go off when you agreed to buy a 10-foot-wide strip of property to buffer your home at the same time reports were coming out that [Rezko] was being investigated for alleged illegal influence-peddling?”

    Obama answered, “Probably because I had known him for a long time, and he had acted in an above-board manner with me, and I considered him a friend. In retrospect it should have, so this was a mistake on my part.”

    And these aren’t the only people for whom ‘alarm bells’ should’ve been going off? After having covered the Housing Boom since 2003, these types of kickbacks were very VERY common!

    The old reverse seller buy-back! ( Why didn’t He just use a Straw-buyer and put the home in someone else’s name? ) That’s how it normally worked. Also calls into question his understanding of basic real estate law.

  32. #32
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:15 pm, CCinMD said:

    Obama: Tony who? Never heard of him!
    Thump, thump, thump, thump….

  33. #33
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:23 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    Hello, Marshall Will @31 - Wait, I’m confused….Did Obama know the man well or what. One minute he’s saying he worked with him for 5 hours, and then your post says “….because I had known him for a long time…” Say what? What’s the matter with me? Obama may be able to read a teleprompter, but he ain’t for doo-doo on remembering all the lies he’s told.

  34. #34
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:31 pm, GrnHornet said:

    It is interesting how most all Obama’s associates pictures are on the Post Office wall. Chicago does well at breeding the criminal type.

  35. #35
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:39 pm, Truesoldier said:

    They’re all just “a guy in the neighborhood.” When Obama has coffee at Bill Ayers house does Rezcko bring the donuts?

    Sounds like the type of neighborhood the feds should set up 24/7 surveilance in.

  36. #36
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:44 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    FirstSkirt,

    Yeah I’m confused too? Keep in mind, this transaction goes back to 2005. The absolute peak of the housing boom. There was no way you could go wrong..?

    Won’t it be great when that once prestigious address becomes a rundown American pop culture oddity? Like people that want to visit Spahn’s Ranch or Ed Gein’s home? A place where young boys dare one another to set foot, twisted groupies nervously snap pictures before speeding off, and polite company doesn’t speak of?

  37. #37
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:51 pm, Hangfire said:

    If Barry can’t hang with Rezco, maybe he can go boating with Robert Wagner.

  38. #38
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:55 pm, Hangfire said:

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:54 pm, Rogue Cheddar said: What’s the over/under on conjugal visits from Barney Frank?

    Barney under.

  39. #39
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:55 pm, rfjjulie said:

    What I don’t understand is if he was convicted in 2008 why did it take so long to sentence him? Did they have to make sure Blago was convicted first?

    I’m sure captain big ears will pardon him on his way out the door just like Billy Jeff did.

  40. #40
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:58 pm, Green eyed Lady said:

    Hi FirstSkirt & Marshall_Will

    Here’s lots of info:

    Why do 3 supporters own Obama’s home?
    Read more: Why do 3 supporters own Obama’s home? http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=289501#ixzz1eTInq2Ph

    How convicted felon helped Obama buy home
    http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=289529

  41. #41
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 5:04 pm, swede said:

    John Deaux said:

    You left out the thrd option – cabinet position.

    Yes indeedy. Rezko is not even the tip of this iceberg, he is an ice cube sitting on the tip. Perhaps a turd in the cesspool would be more appropropriate. Rising through Chicago politics as quickly as OZero did does not happen without a massive mess of unholy alliances. Then the payback comes due. Thus William Daley, son of “The Boss” and creator of the “Chicago Machine” becomes WH chief of staff. The Machine was so wrapped up with the mob and corruption it reeks. Only one reason Mr. Daley goes to Washington. When you owe the machine you pay up, or “…Nice presidency ya got there. Shame if sumthin was to happen to it.”

    Rezko would make a fine, er, Secretary of Payola.

  42. #42
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 5:25 pm, Truesoldier said:

    John Deaux said:

    You left out the thrd option – cabinet position.

    Only if it is a recess appointment. The GOP would not allow a vote on his conformation…at least not in an election year.

  43. #43
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 5:39 pm, ChapBix said:

    #12. On November 22nd, 2011 at 2:38 pm, Green eyed Lady

    “Illinois wais for sale at the very top levels of our government.”

  44. #44
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 5:45 pm, Marshall_Will said:

    swede said:

    Rezko is not even the tip of this iceberg, he is an ice cube sitting on the tip.

    He is a chip.., a sliver! of barely frozen, slushy substance that is not all that significant… Infinitesimal really?

    Rising through Chicago politics as quickly as OZero did does not happen without a massive mess of unholy alliances. Then the payback comes due.

    Nailed it! And the reason most of us will never RISE to that level! ( Our wives simply won’t stand for making deals w/ the devil like that? ) Obviously Moochelle hadn’t Reservation 1.

    And so… in the end, after hard fought careers wind up on the scrapheap of Not Connected our ‘dream’ becomes owning a commercial building, unplugging drains… on Saturday.

    If we’re lucky.

  45. #45
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 5:49 pm, ChapBix said:

    #23. On November 22nd, 2011 at 3:17 pm, regularguy said:

    I still think anyone actually bringing forth any connection Obama has with Rezco and Blagojevich’s shenanigans will quickly be found floating in Lake Michigan. At least until after his term ends. And, I believe there IS a connection. and this will come out after Obam’s reign ends. Maybe someday we’ll also see Obama frogmarched off to jail. One can dream.

    Won’t happen. Current and previous presidents receive a lifetime free pass from criminal behavior. Their reputation may be soiled for a season, however. Prime evidence: Bill Clinton. That’s as close as we get to justice.

  46. #46
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 6:11 pm, Truesoldier said:

    And in other “no surprise” news:

    The Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday downgraded its estimate of the benefits of President Obama’s 2009 stimulus package, saying it may have sustained as few as 700,000 jobs at its peak last year and that over the long run it will actually be a net drag on the economy.

  47. #47
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 6:28 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 4:51 pm, Hangfire said:
    If Barry can’t hang with Rezco, maybe he can go boating with Robert Wagner.

    Or for a drive down by the water with Teddy. Oh wait…too late. Teddy has moved to a warmer climate.

    The era of Al Capone came to an end and the era of Chicago thug Barack Obama will too. I just hope we can turn the country back around after we throw them all in jail. It sure would help if they could just bump each other off like they did in the old days of the Valentines Day Massacre, which, unexpectedly took place in Chicago! That city has some Baaaaad Karma!!

  48. #48
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 6:30 pm, happyscrapper said:

    The Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday downgraded its estimate of the benefits of President Obama’s 2009 stimulus package, saying it may have sustained as few as 700,000 jobs at its peak last year and that over the long run it will actually be a net drag on the economy.

    Kinda like obamacare and everything else this bozo has touched.

  49. #49
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 6:36 pm, cabrerski said:

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 5:25 pm, Truesoldier said:
    Only if it is a recess appointment. The GOP would not allow a vote on his conformation…at least not in an election year.

    Then, it will be payola czar…no confirmation (nor oversight) needed…

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 6:28 pm, happyscrapper said:
    Or for a drive down by the water with Teddy. Oh wait…too late. Teddy has moved to a warmer climate.

    Teddy Kennedy (D-Hell) just found out there is a little bridge on the River Styx. He is boozin’ it up looking for a little demonette to take a drive with him.

  50. #50
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 7:00 pm, TigerLady said:

    Or for a drive down by the water with Teddy. Oh wait…too late. Teddy has moved to a warmer climate.

    Fire..(da da da), you’re gonna burn.

    Can’t remember the rest of the song but the imagery of Teddy doing the eternal roast is satisfying.

  51. #51
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 7:03 pm, TigerLady said:
  52. #52
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 8:13 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On November 22, 2011 at 03:03 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Oops, I said hang. Didn’t mean anything racist, I meant as in Birds of a Feather.

    That’s because subconsciously you think stereotypically that all blank men are hung. :wink:

  53. #53
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 9:05 pm, BK said:

    How tiny should the violin be that I’ll play for this guy? :)

  54. #54
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 9:16 pm, Hangfire said:

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 8:13 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:
    That’s because subconsciously you think stereotypically that all blank men are hung.

    Good thing I wasn’t drinking egg nog when I read that.

    Great groaner, Rogue.

  55. #55
    On November 22nd, 2011 at 9:49 pm, cabrerski said:

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 8:13 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:
    That’s because subconsciously you think stereotypically that all blank men are hung.

    [Bart returns unexpectedly after being sentenced to death]
    Charlie: They said you was hung.
    Bart: And they was right.

  56. #56
    On November 23rd, 2011 at 10:02 am, Virginia Patriot said:

    Now when do the rest of the Chicago gang go to jail??

  57. #57
    On November 23rd, 2011 at 10:06 am, FirstSkirt said:

    “He was hung

    by his neck until dead.

    Good one, rogue.

  58. #58
    On November 23rd, 2011 at 10:15 am, Taqiyyotomist said:

    Don’t worry, Tony, you’ll still have all that NALCO money, from the billion or so gallons of oil dispersant your company sold to the government at inflated prices after the Deepwater Horizon “accident”.

    Probably sitting in an offshore account as we speak.

  59. #59
    On November 23rd, 2011 at 10:22 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On November 22nd, 2011 at 8:13 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:
    That’s because subconsciously you think stereotypically that all blank men are hung.

    Ha! Nobody noticed I said blank men instead of black men! You all just assumed I meant black, which makes you all racists! :grin:

  60. #60
    On November 23rd, 2011 at 11:29 am, stuckinIL4now said:

    Word around Chi-town today is that Rezko’s attorney may be appealing the sentence on the grounds that others involved in the Blago scandal have gotten lesser sentences and that the message the judge is sending, that corruption in Illinois government must stop, should be sent to the public officials who abuse the public trust. In Illinois? Corruption? Really? That goes on?

    In a possibly-related story, two IL Republican state reps have proposed that Crook County separate from the other 101 counties in Illinois and become our 51st state. Maybe we’ll call it Obamaturf and then he’ll need only 6 more to reach his magical 57th state.

  61. #61
    On November 23rd, 2011 at 12:10 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    More on the property Rezko helped Obama buy…

    http://wtpotus.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/who-lived-in-obamas-secret-house/

  62. #62
    On November 23rd, 2011 at 12:28 pm, rightwingrocker said:

    Rezko’s now hoping President Obama pardons more than just turkeys tomorrow.

    He really should be considering a pardon for his own criminal @$$.

    RWR ’12
    http://www.rightwingrocker.com

  63. #63
    On November 25th, 2011 at 10:16 am, BK said:

    When will the other Obama cronies do perp walks too?

    “Oh wouldn’t it be great…..”

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