In the run-up to election day we heard a great deal about Tony Rezko, and how his criminal associations reflected poorly on Obama. Little did we suspect then that the biggest crook Rezko knows is the governor of Illinois. With the arrest of Governor Blagojevich this morning, it becomes clear that Tony Rezko played a significant role in putting him in jail. Rezko’s name appears 170 times in the criminal complaint against Blagojevich and Harris, and the FBI states early on (page 11) that he was cooperating with the investigation. At the same time, the FBI is apparently uncertain about just how reliable Rezko is:
Rezko, whose reliability has yet to be fully determined, has confirmed to the government in proffer sessions the essence of Ata’s testimony regarding Ata’s meeting with ROD BLAGOJEVICH, but has a different recollection regarding the timing and chronology of certain events and only recalls asking Ata for one $25,000 check for ROD BLAGOJEVICH. Rezko’s proffers have been substantial but are not complete and the government’s efforts to fact check and corroborate Rezko’s proffered information are not yet complete. Rezko has proffered with the government in hopes of receiving a recommendation from the government for a reduced sentence. During the proffer sessions, Rezko at times has provided accounts that differ from those of other witnesses, including Ata, but in broad terms Rezko’s account incriminates ROD BLAGOJEVICH in a “pay to play” criminal scheme. Because the government is not yet satisfied that Rezko’s accounts are full and complete, the government is not relying on Rezko’s account for probable cause. The government simply notes that while Rezko’s account varies at times from those of other witnesses, Rezko’s account of ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s activity, on balance, would add to the probable cause set forth herein, not subtract. Where Rezko’s proffered recollection differs significantly from those of witnesses upon whose testimony the government is relying, this affidavit notes those differences.
Rezko’s involvement is clear in a number of cases of corruption. He helped Blagojevich extort campaign contributions from Mercy Hospital, and told investigators about the plan:
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