Influence peddler Levine ends 33-year marriage
CIRCUIT COURT | Was key witness against Rezko, likely to be against Vrdolyak
Stuart P. Levine, the Republican influence peddler who helped bring down Tony Rezko, got divorced Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court.
Levine's wife, Sheri, sued to end the couple's 33-year marriage two weeks ago, shortly after her husband testified about his "secret life" -- doing cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and other drugs with several male companions at all-night parties in hotel rooms.
(Sun-Times file)
Their Highland Park mansion on the shores of Lake Michigan has been sold. But Levine gets nothing from the sale, according to his criminal attorney, Jeffrey Steinback. Levine's half of the proceeds has gone toward his debts to the federal government.
Levine is now living in a Skokie apartment and working for Chicago Messenger Service.
"These are some difficult times for Stuart,'' Steinback said.
Levine, 62, is a longtime Republican Party insider who made millions off health care deals with the government. He was a longtime financial benefactor of former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan. But when Republican Ryan lost the governor's race to Democrat Rod Blagojevich, Levine testified, he entered into a series of corrupt deals with Rezko, who was one of Blagojevich's major campaign fund-raisers and a key adviser.
Levine was indicted on corruption charges in the summer of 2005. He pleaded guilty in the fall of 2006, admitting that he and Rezko ripped off the pension plan for Illinois teachers.
Levine faces 5½ years in prison. His sentencing has been placed on hold because he is expected to testify this fall against former Chicago Ald. Edward R. Vrdolyak in a federal corruption case involving the sale of an Old Town office building to a north suburban medical school whose board included Levine.
Sun-Times staff