Judge won't delay Rezko fraud trial
A federal judge ruled today that the corruption trial of former gubernatorial fund-raiser and adviser Antoin “Tony” Rezko will begin next month, despite protestations by his attorneys that they have been overwhelmed by 1.5 million documents dumped by federal prosecutors.
U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve said Rezko’s trial will start on Feb. 25, though she told his attorneys they could further pursue a delay in writing.
U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve said Rezko’s trial will start on Feb. 25, though she told his attorneys they could further pursue a delay in writing.
Rezko’s legal team has also complained about the speed in which they have received documents.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times file)
Rezko’s legal team has also complained about the speed in which they have received documents.
But prosecutors argued they are following the law and more. “We went beyond what our obligations are,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. Niewoehner said in court.
Both sides also sparred over questions that may end up on the jury questionnaire. They include probing future jurors about their political beliefs, understanding of investments and what lobbyists do, as well as their feelings about people of Middle Eastern descent. Rezko is from Syria.
“There’s prejudice about that in our society,” Rezko attorney William P. Ziegelmueller said of his client’s native heritage. “We need to make sure there’s no blatant bias there.”
Questions about race do not belong in the questionnaire and politics “is not relevant in this case,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie E. Hamilton.
But Ziegelmueller said that view is naive. “This case is about politics. There’s no doubt about that,” he said.
Rezko is accused of demanding kickbacks from companies seeking state business under Gov. Blagojevich, the government alleges. In one case, Rezko allegedly tried to shake down an investment firm trying to land state pension work for $1.5 million in campaign contributions for the governor.
The governor has denied any wrongdoing.
Sources have told the Chicago Sun-Times that Blagojevich is “Public Official A” in recent court filings in the Rezko case. The governor allegedly offered contracts and other financial rewards in return for political favors, according to cooperating witnesses.
Another top fund-raiser for Blagojevich, Christopher G. Kelly, was indicted on gambling-related tax charges last month. While those charges aren’t connected to the governor’s administration, Kelly’s fund-raising role for Blagojevich remains under investigation, sources have said.