Cellini pleads not guilty
Illinois powerbroker William Cellini pleaded not guilty Friday afternoon to charges concerning an alleged shakedown scheme involving Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign fund.
The 74-year-old Springfield lobbyist and businessman is accused of working with convicted influence-peddler Tony Rezko and others to extort an investment firm into making a $1.5 million contribution to Blagojevich's campaign as a condition of getting state business.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
Following Cellini's plea, the U.S. Attorney's office brought up a potential conflict in Cellini's representation by Winston & Strawn attorney Dan Webb. Assistant U.S. attorney Chris Niewoehner said that the law firm had represented a witness in the case. The witness's name was not disclosed.
"I think this is a matter I should talk over with the government," said Webb after court. "I believe there is no conflict."
The government is looking into the potential conflict, and by Nov. 26 will decide whether to file a motion to disqualify the law firm, or to file a motion simply informing the judge of the connection.
Cellini is accused of conspiring with Rezko and Stuart Levine, then a state pension fund board member, to shake down Thomas Rosenberg, a Chicago businessman who had become a Hollywood producer and was seeking to handle an investment for the pension board.
Regarding the charges against Cellini, Webb said the same allegations were brought up in the Rezko trial, and the jury found Rezko not guilty on those counts.
"I expect there will be the same result this time," said Webb. "Mr. Rosenberg is the one that contacted Mr. Cellini, not vice versa."
Bond was set at $1 million, secured by Cellini's Springfield house.