Judge postpones Rezko sentencing

A federal judge this morning officially postponed the sentencing of political fund-raiser Tony Rezko as he continues his discussions with the government.

U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve indefinitely delayed Rezko's Oct. 28 sentencing date and told the parties to meet again for a status in the case in December.

The sentencing, originally scheduled for Oct. 28, just before the election, was likely to bring unfavorable publicity to Rezko's onetime friend Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Prosecutors and Rezko lawyers said this morning they did not want to set a future date for sentencing.

Rezko lawyer William Ziegelmueller said they sought the delay to "work together to agree to otherwise narrow differences at sentencing."

The agreement comes as Rezko is talking to federal prosecutors. The Sun-Times first reported Rezko's meetings with the feds in August and sources close to the investigation later confirmed the talks last month.

Ziegelmueller said this morning there was presently no deal in place, otherwise "today would have been different."

Ziegelmueller said Rezko remains in solitary confinement in the Metropolitan Correctional Center.