The Rezko verdict: Guilty
CORRUPTION TRIAL | Political fund-raiser's conviction gives Gov. Blagojevich plenty to worry about
In a crushing blow to Gov. Blagojevich and a potentially damaging one to presidential hopeful Barack Obama, Tony Rezko -- a fund-raiser for the two men and an ex-gubernatorial confidant -- was convicted of far-reaching corruption Wednesday.
The verdict quickly raised questions about whether the state's chief executive will be the next target of federal prosecutors.
(Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times)
"We're moving at full speed," a source with knowledge of the probe said. Authorities investigating the Blagojevich administration "will be knocking on doors as early as [this] morning."
A fast food entrepreneur and real estate developer, Rezko once lived a life of North Shore opulence, hosting dignitaries and fund-raisers in his Wilmette mansion. Rezko, 52, now faces the prospect of a lengthy prison term.
After deliberating over 12 days, the jury of 10 women and two men convicted Rezko on 16 of 24 counts that accused him of corrupting two state boards and using his influence in Blagojevich's inner circle to squeeze cash from firms seeking state business.
The two-month trial laid bare an ugly underbelly of Illinois politics, in which high-rollers and powerbrokers secretly called the shots on state deals.
"What the jury did was vindicate the interests of the citizens of Illinois and honest government," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said.
Jurors said their verdict had nothing to do with Blagojevich or Obama -- neither of whom was charged in the case.
Before the verdict was read, Rezko entered the courtroom smiling, wearing a crisp, taupe suit and the same red tie he wore the first day of trial, his two sons at his side. But from the first reading of "guilty," Rezko's smile faded, his hands clasped tightly before him, his face, at times, flushed.
He turned his gaze away from jurors and later appeared to swallow back emotion after mouthing a message to one of his sons. Minutes before turning himself in to federal custody, Rezko moved to a bench to sit between his sons, their eyes swollen from crying, their arms around their father.
Family and friends filled two courtroom benches, some wiping tears as the verdict was read. His wife and daughter were not there. The prosecution sought to revoke Rezko's $8 million bail. But Rezko surrendered voluntarily, releasing dozens of properties belonging to family and friends.
"Mr. Rezko, on his own, decided that if he was convicted he wanted to immediately start serving his sentence," said Rezko lawyer Joseph Duffy, who said he'll appeal.
The conviction ratchets up the pressure on Rezko, who's set to be sentenced Sept. 3, to cooperate with authorities.
It also gives the feds the green light on separate probes involving the governor's finances and hiring practices. Already, investigators have subpoenaed his campaign fund, scrutinized his donors, looked into his wife's real estate dealings and questioned witnesses on whether they were promised perks for cash, sources told the Sun-Times. A 2006 letter from Fitzgerald revealed his office was probing "allegations of endemic hiring fraud" in state government.
The verdict is an embarrassment to Blagojevich, who vowed to transform the corrupt ways of his predecessor, the now-imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan. But witnesses invoked Blagojevich's name repeatedly in Rezko's trial, saying he talked to them about winning state business, jobs or access after they anted up to his campaign.
Blagojevich said he was sad for Rezko and his family. "The jury's decision is yet another reminder that ours is a system of government that is ruled by laws, and not by men," the governor said.
Obama was a tangential figure at the trial, mentioned only a few times as a beneficiary of Rezko's fund-raising. But Republicans are already exploiting the Democrat's long friendship with a now-convicted felon.
Rezko carried out his crimes with onetime Republican party insider Stuart Levine, who served on two state boards. Levine has pleaded guilty to fraud charges tied to Rezko and testified against him, in hopes of winning a 67-month sentence.
Witnesses testified Rezko used his influence to stack the Illinois health planning board and teachers pension board. Rezko then directed dealings through a middleman who at times passed out index cards with voting instructions.
Witnesses said Rezko was influential in Blagojevich's administration, trumping others when it came to getting state appointments. In all, Rezko raised more than $1.3 million for the governor.
Rezko's fall came as dramatically as his rise. The Syrian immigrant came to Chicago in the 1970s and amassed a fortune from real estate dealings and Papa John's and Panda Express fast-food franchises. That world came crashing down as Rezko found himself deep in debt, facing lawsuits, foreclosure and three criminal cases.
Contributing: Rummana Hussain, Frank Main, Dave McKinney