Rezko's day in court
CORRUPTION TRIAL | Key issues laid out as jury selection begins today
Jury selection begins today in the trial of Wilmette businessman and influential political fund-raiser Tony Rezko. He has grabbed national headlines recently because of his ties to White House hopeful Barack Obama. Rezko has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges.
Here are seven things to know about his trial:
(AP)
He's a Syrian-born businessman who made millions of dollars in real estate, fast-food chains and overseas ventures. Rezko's prowess as a political fund-raiser bought him political access and influence within the Blagojevich administration, prosecutors charge. Rezko, who was once a top Blagojevich adviser, is accused of demanding illegal payments from firms trying to do business with the state and directing that money to himself or to political designees. Rezko also served as an Obama fund-raiser, and Obama entered into a land deal with Rezko in 2005. Obama later called the move "boneheaded" because Rezko was widely known to be under federal scrutiny at the time.
It's the highest-profile case since last year's Conrad Black trial, which could mean seats will be scarce in U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve's 12th floor courtroom, at least during the opening days. "We did plan for an overflow and will have an overflow room available," U.S. District Clerk of Court Michael Dobbins said. The extra spectators will go to room 1719 in the federal courthouse, which will have an audio and video feed of the trial.
The onetime multimillionaire from Wilmette has looked a bit haggard and unshaven in recent court appearances. That's partly because at his recent digs, the downtown federal lockup, he's only allowed to shave and shower twice a week. In front of jurors that'll change. Policy at the Metropolitan Correctional Center allows inmates to clean up every morning when they're on trial. He'll swap his orange jumpsuit for clothing his attorneys drop off for him. But you won't see him in a tie. Ties, belts and shoelaces are banned by U.S. Marshals Service.
It's often said that selecting a jury is the most important part of the trial, and Rezko's is no different. What are the defense and prosecution teams looking for in a juror?
"The defense is more inclined to put women on the jury than the prosecution," said Paul Lisnek, a Chicago-based jury consultant. "Men tend to hold fellow men to a tougher standard." Prosecutors are looking for people who are rule-followers, he said. "Rezko seems to be someone who knows how to work the system," Lisnek said. "They want people who say: We follow rules." St. Eve said 18 jurors could be seated by the end of the day Tuesday. Every judge has a different style for picking jurors. With St. Eve, she asks the questions, not the lawyers.
There will be no more "Public Official A," or "Individual B," etc. In contrast to how names were disguised in reams of court documents, the cards will be out on the table at trial. That isn't good news for Gov. Blagojevich, who St. Eve recently confirmed is the "Public Official A" referred to in prosecution filings. The government alleged in December that two witnesses are expected to testify Blagojevich told them supporting his administration would bring financial rewards. Blagojevich allegedly said "he could award contracts, legal work, and investment banking to help with fund-raising," according to a filing in which prosecutors laid out expected trial testimony. Prosecutors have not accused Blagojevich of wrongdoing. Last week, Blagojevich defended himself, saying: "What was described there doesn't describe me or how I do things."
That same court filing makes reference to presidential contender U.S. Sen. Barack Obama. While Obama's involvement in the case will be minimal compared with the governor's, the prospect of his name being mentioned isn't a headache Obama needs -- especially on the eve of major primaries in Ohio and Texas on Tuesday. Prosecutors charge Rezko directed $10,000 from a kickback scheme into Obama's campaign fund. Obama isn't accused of wrongdoing, and he has since given that money to charity. An Obama reference at trial could be harmful to the defense, strategist Lisnek predicts: "If it comes in that Rezko was trying to take advantage of Obama -- that may not play well with a jury. "Obama's very positive. He's almost like Teflon right now. It could hurt the defense if jurors believe Rezko tried to sully his name and use him."
Not so with Blagojevich, Lisnek said: "Blagojevich has been so muddied."
Some star witnesses appear unblemished on the stand -- until defense attorneys tear them up. Stuart Levine's problems arrived long ago. Defense lawyers say Levine, whose testimony is expected to be central to the trial, led a so-called "secret life" involving all-night, cocaine-fueled parties. Court filings indicate that Levine has used marijuana, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, Special K and Ecstasy. That puts Levine's memory and credibility into question, defense lawyers charge. They also say Levine, who pleaded guilty, cooperated only after realizing the government "had discovered and was investigating his secret life." Rezko is accused of conspiring with the Highland Park businessman, who held powerful positions on two state boards.
"He's a problem witness for the government," said Chicago defense attorney Patrick Deady. But, he said, "there are any number of cases where truly reprehensible people cooperated and ended up being kind of the basis for convictions."
To overcome credibility questions, prosecutors must "corroborate, corroborate, corroborate," said former federal prosecutor Zachary Fardon. Fardon said that court documents indicate the case doesn't just hang on Levine.
"I think it's a fair assumption to say there's a lot of [evidence] independent of Stuart Levine intended to bolster and corroborate his testimony."