Local News

Arrest Warrant Issued For Rezko In Las Vegas

Report: Rezko Owes Hundreds Of Thousands In Gambling Debts To Casinos

LAS VEGAS (CBS) ― As he awaits the verdict from a jury deliberating federal corruption charges against him, political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko is facing new legal trouble in the form of an arrest warrant from Nevada. Three Las Vegas casinos say he owes them $800,000.

Up on the 12th floor of the Dirksen Federal Building on Thursday, Rezko's lawyers and the prosecutors in his trial met with U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve. It was a closed meeting and we don't know what was discussed, but there is speculation the subject was the new legal trouble facing Rezko.

A felony arrest warrant from Nevada authorities has been issued against political fundraiser and accused shakedown artist "Tony" Rezko.

The warrant claims Rezko wrote $250,000 worth of bad checks at Caesar's palace and bounced $200,000 worth of bad checks at Bally's, all to cover his gambling debts. The Las Vegas Sun reports he also owes $331,000 to the swank Bellagio casino resort.

CBS 2 Legal Analyst Irv Miller says "He's not playing the quarter slots and apparently he's not too good at what he's been doing out there."

Its another legal body blow to the former multi-millionaire restaurant chain investor with the big mansion in Wilmette, the man who raised money for and hobnobbed with Illinois political heavyweights then went on trial for fraud and extortion. He's currently free on federal bond, but that freedom could end even as he waits for a verdict.

"He shouldn't be surprised if someone comes to his front door and the Cook County Sheriff or local police, not even federal authorities, take him into custody on this out of state warrant," Miller said. He thinks Rezko should try to arrange repayment and settle the debts quickly.

Rezko, 52, a major fundraiser for Blagojevich and Sen. Barack Obama, is charged with fraud, attempted extortion, money laundering and aiding and abetting bribery. Neither politician is charged with any wrongdoing.

"What's interesting is, if (Rezko is) extradited back to Nevada, the governor's warrant that would order him to the State of Nevada would have to be signed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich," Miller said.

Prosecutors say Rezko developed enormous clout with Blagojevich by raising campaign funds for him and used his influence to control the state boards that decided on hospitals and pension investment.

Rezko denies he took part in any such scheme. His lawyers say fellow fundraiser Stuart Levine, who has pleaded guilty and was the government's star witness, lied on the stand at the nine-week trial.

An interesting footnote, the allegedly rubber Rezko checks were drawn on Chicago's Broadway Bank. At the time those checks bounced, the vice president of the bank, Alexei Giannoulias was running his ultimately successful campaign for Illinois state treasurer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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