Rezko in intense talks with feds
Blagojevich investigation going at "top speed"
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September 27, 2008
BY NATASHA KORECKI Federal Courts Reporter
Just weeks before he is to be sentenced, political fund-raiser Tony Rezko is in the midst of intense discussions with federal investigators, sources close to the investigation confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times.
There’s no question federal authorities are interested in Rezko, a former top adviser and fundraiser to Gov. Blagojevich, as a federal witness. But one source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, warned it’s too early to call the discussions full-fledged cooperation.
Political fund-raiser Tony Rezko is talking with federal investigators weeks before he is sentenced.
(AP file)
Already, however, Rezko has provided information to the feds, who are in the process of vetting it, sources said.
The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the likelihood of Rezko’s cooperation a month ago, following accounts from various sources who saw Rezko being brought into the federal courthouse from the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Rezko had no court appearances during that time.
One source, who asked not to be identified, told the Sun-Times in an Aug. 28th article that Rezko was twice seen inside the U.S. Attorney’s office following his conviction. AT the time, Rezko’s lawyer, Joseph Duffy, called that contention of Rezko inside prosecutor’s offices, “bogus.”
Rezko’s lawyers could not be reached for comment Friday.
The implications of Rezko’s cooperation are innumerable. His reach as a businessman, political adviser, real estate mogul and political fundraiser has the potential to take federal authorities from Springfield to Iraq.
Rezko not only was privy to inside meetings with the governor, but engaged in numerous real estate dealings with his wife, Patti.
The governor’s office has denied that the first lady’s business dealings with Rezko had anything to do with his influence in her husband’s administration.
Federal authorities have long sought Rezko’s cooperation in their ongoing probe into the governor.
A few months before his conviction, Rezko wrote a letter saying prosecutors were pressuring him to give them information on Blagojevich and White House hopeful Barack Obama. At that time, Duffy told the Sun-Times that Rezko had never met with, or spoken to prosecutors.
One source with knowledge of the investigation into the governor and into his wife Patti Blagojevich’s real estate dealings say the probe is going “at top speed.”
Rezko is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 28.
He then faces two more trials, including another in Chicago federal court next year.
suntimes.com |
