Did government, Rezko talks hit stumbling block?

HIS REQUEST | Set date for sentencing

Talks between the government and political fund-raiser Tony Rezko appear to have hit a stumbling block.

Late Wednesday, Rezko’s lawyers filed a motion with U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve asking her to “set the earliest possible date for his sentencing.”

Just last October, Rezko’s lawyers and prosecutors agreed to indefinitely delay his sentencing because, according to sources, the former adviser to Gov. Blagojevich and fund-raiser for President-elect Barack Obama began providing information to prosecutors.

Rezko was convicted in June of wide-ranging corruption tied to state deals.

If Rezko signed on to cooperate with the government, he more than likely would not be sentenced until after his cooperation was completed. That usually involves testifying before a grand jury or at trial.

Rezko is being housed in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, which appears to be a sticking point for Rezko.

“Mr. Rezko has remained in solitary confinement at the MCC since June 4, 2008, the day of the jury’s verdict, and can no longer agree to delay sentencing,” his lawyers wrote in the court papers. Rezko volunteered to surrender to jail immediately after his trial.

Sources say there have been some hangups in talks with Rezko, and the government suspects he’s attempting to minimize his role in the potential wrongdoing he’s telling them about.

They say the latest request may be a game of chicken, with Rezko trying for better accommodations if he’s to continue cooperating.

Rezko’s lawyer, Joseph Duffy, declined comment to comment late Wednesday.