By Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review

Tony Rezko from friend to bonehead all in a days spin

In Chicago, Barack Obama’s M.O. was to talk the talk of a reformer and walk the walk of an old-school machine politician. When he got called on it, he did what machine politicians do: He waxed eloquent about his commitment to transparency even as he stonewalled, obfuscated, and lied.

That is how convicted fraudster Tony Rezko was transformed, before our very eyes, from a guy Obama barely knew to a contributor who may have helped Obama’s political campaigns, then to a bundler who’d actually raised more than $250,000 (some five times the amount claimed in Obama’s initial admission), to a developer who won contracts with Obama’s assistance, to a fixer who helped Obama buy a pricey home the future president couldn’t afford on his own—an ethical lapse Obama finally had to acknowledge was “boneheaded.”

By Justin Rood, ABC News

Obama and disgraced Governor Bill Richardson

President-elect Barack Obama took big money from a man at the center of a federal probe that has forced one of Obama’s top Cabinet picks to withdraw.

Financial records show the Obama campaign got more than $30,000 from California financier David Rubin, the target of an investigation into donations and possible “pay-to-play” deals involving New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Obama’s pick for commerce secretary.

Richardson removed himself from consideration for the post Sunday, saying the ongoing grand jury investigation threatened to hold up his confirmation. Richardson and Rubin have both denied any wrongdoing in the matter, which involved contributions and state business in 2003 and 2004.

Tony Rezko traded money for favors with Obama

The only problem with the report is ABC forget to talk about Obama, an expert at these deals, just ask Tony Rezko.

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WorldNetDaily

Tony Rezko and Good Friend Barack Obama

Just 23 days before a crooked fundraiser helped Sen. Barack Obama buy his Chicago mansion, a billionaire bagman for Saddam Hussein wired millions into the crook’s account.

“Barack Obama appears to have personally benefited from funds originating in Saddam Hussein’s regime,” said Mideast expert Daniel Pipes.

Former Iraqi official Nadhmi Auchi bankrolled his longtime friend and business partner, Syrian immigrant and Chicago slumlord Tony Rezko, who in turn bankrolled Obama’s political career before being convicted this year of fraud.

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By Jerome R Corsi, WorldNetDaily

Mansion with Tony Rezko and Obama

Since arresting Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has renewed interest in convicted fundraiser Tony Rezko’s part in the purchase of Barack Obama’s Chicago mansion, according to a former real estate analyst who says he was interviewed by the federal prosecutor in the past 10 days.

Kenneth J. Conner told WND he was interviewed by investigators from Fitzgerald’s office regarding the purchase of the Obama mansion and the adjacent vacant lot that Rezko’s wife, Rita, purchased simultaneously. As WND reported last week, Connor filed a civil complaint in October with the Illinois Circuit Court in Cook County alleging he was fired by Mutual Bank of Harvey, Ill., because he objected to land appraisals submitted on behalf of the Rezkos and the Obamas, with the complicity of the bank.

Connor previously confirmed to WND that he told the FBI, months ago, when he initially was fired, that the bank and the Rezkos were engaged in “fraud, bribes or kickbacks, use whatever term you want,” to benefit the Obamas.

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By Jeff Coen

Rezko is close to Obama

Chicago Breaking News

In a signal that the sentencing of convicted political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko could again be delayed in the midst of negotiations over his cooperation, the federal judge overseeing his case canceled deadlines for court filings today and set a status hearing for next week. U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve was scheduled to sentence Rezko on Jan. 6.

The complaint charging Gov. Rod Blagojevich this week made it clear that Rezko has been giving prosecutors damaging information about the governor’s involvement in pay-to-play schemes.
Rezko was convicted of fraud in June, and his original sentencing in October was delayed as he engaged in talks with the government.

Rezko’s lawyers had moved recently to set another sentencing date, citing his struggles in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago.

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By Bill Myers, DC Examiner

The arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has dragged presidential friend Antoin “Tony” Rezko back into the public spotlight. Rezko, a convicted fixer for Blagojevich, entered the national political spotlight last year when it emerged that he had helped broker a sweetheart real estate deal for Barack Obama’s stately home on Chicago’s South Side. Rezko’s name is prominent in charging documents filed in the Blagojevich case Monday.

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