Rezko cash triple what Obama says

[Tellurian]

DONATIONS $168,000 traced to indicted businessman, associates over the years

June 18, 2007

BY CHRIS FUSCO AND TIM NOVAK Staff Reporters/

During his 12 years in politics, Sen. Barack Obama has received nearly three times more campaign cash from indicted businessman Tony Rezko and his associates than he has publicly acknowledged, the Chicago Sun-Times has found.

Obama has collected at least $168,308 from Rezko and his circle. Obama also has taken in an unknown amount of money from people who attended fund-raising events hosted by Rezko since the mid-1990s.

But seven months ago, Obama told the Sun-Times his "best estimate" was that Rezko raised "between $50,000 and $60,000" during Obama's political career.

Obama, who wants to be the nation's next president, has been purging some of those donations -- giving charities more than $30,000 he got from Rezko and three of his business partners referenced in Rezko's federal indictments. All three attended a lavish fund-raiser Rezko hosted for Obama four years ago.

Obama, however, has kept $6,850 from others who also are referenced in Rezko's indictments. Obama also has hung on to contributions from doctors whom Rezko helped appoint to a state-government panel involved in some of Rezko's alleged fraud schemes.

"We've made our best effort to run the most ethical campaign possible in all ways and release donations when appropriate," Obama's press secretary, Bill Burton, said Friday.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/432197,CST-NWS-obama18.article

...this story is just going to get bigger by the day..

[William769]

1. "this story is just going to get bigger by the day"

Just like pinocchio's nose. Now theres a double meaning for ya!

[Tellurian]

3. Pinocchio's nose isn't the best logo for endorsements..

[Tellurian]

4. What? Pinocchio bumperstickers... kidding, right? nm

[Tellurian]

2. There may be trouble for Obama from the FEC...

from the OP:

"They wanted to have a good showing," said a source familiar with the fund-raiser, speaking on condition of anonymity."Tony was one of the biggest fund-raisers."

At the time of the party, the state was in the process of foreclosing on a low-income apartment building Rezko's company rehabbed in Obama's state Senate district -- a rehab project on which Obama's law firm worked. Rezko had also abandoned many other low-income apartments, leaving numerous vacant units in need of major repairs. Rezko was indicted in October 2006 in unrelated fraud schemes. Between 75 and 80 people attended Rezko's cocktail party, according to Burton, but he said the campaign has no list of the guests.More than half a dozen people who were there said between 100 and 150 guests were treated to an open bar and food served by Jewell Events Catering, run by renowned Chicago caterer George Jewell. Valets parked cars for the guests, who each were asked to donate at least $1,000.

Rezko picked up the tab. The exact cost of the party has never been disclosed to the Federal Election Commission, which allows hosts to pay up to $2,000 for fund-raisers held in their homes and not report the expense. If a party costs more than $2,000, the candidate must tell the FEC about it.

Burton said, based on a conversation a former Obama staff member had with Rezko, that the party didn't cost more than $2,000.Three days after the coctail party, Obama got donations from several Rezko associates, Obama's campaign records show."

[wyldwolf]

7. if the FEC investigates, yeah, major problem for Obama

[draft_mario_cuomo]

8. lol WW nt

[Tellurian]

11. ...

:kick:

[illinoisprogressive]

5. Is that the same as the corporate jets by the Clinton supporter who is a crook?

[illinoisprogressive]

6. wondering, when is Hil going to release her earmarks or does she have something to hide???

[sandnsea]

9. More Clinton smear campaigning

That's all you guys know how to do.

[TeamJordan23]

10. Just shows the fear that Team CLitnton has of Obama, u don't see attacks against other candidates

nt

[draft_mario_cuomo]

13. Is this from the HRC campaign?

Has HRC sent out a vicious racist memo attacking anyone btw? That shows how much Team Obama fears HRC. ;) And as far as I know, only one campaign has been caught smearing another candidate so far on our side...

[draft_mario_cuomo]

12. What about the daily stream of HRC smears posted by BO supporters?

:eyes: