Judge sets sentencing date for Tony Rezko
In August, Tony Rezko was leaving his jail cell, meeting with prosecutors and quietly giving them information.
By October, lawyers were asking to indefinitely put off his sentencing.
(AP)
But Tuesday U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve, acting at Rezko's request, said she would sentence him in less than six weeks. The onetime political fund-raiser and gubernatorial adviser from Wilmette, convicted of wide-ranging corruption involving state deals, now faces sentencing Jan. 6.
Prosecutors didn't object to the fast track. They wouldn't comment on what appeared to be a hitch in their talks with Rezko. Nor would Rezko's lawyers.
Last month, sources said Rezko was providing information to the government. Defense lawyers said they had received calls from prosecutors saying they were checking out information provided by Rezko.
Typically, a witness cooperating with prosecutors wouldn't be sentenced until after his cooperation -- which usually involves testimony before a grand jury or at trial -- was complete.
But sources said Rezko has grown frustrated with his current accommodations -- solitary confinement -- and the prosecution's apparent unwillingness to push for his release from prison on electronic monitoring.
Rezko still faces another trial, on fraud charges involving his pizza businesses.