Politics

Rezko's Connection To Blagojevich Probed In Trial

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Testimony in the Antoin "Tony" Rezko trial on Monday focused on the fundraiser himself, and his connection to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

CBS 2's Mike Parker reports two former officials in the Blagojevich administration testified in detail about how Rezko allegedly used his clout to stack the deck in state government.

Jill Hayden, the one-time Director of Boards and Commissions, told the jury how Rezko called her on the phone and told her to rush the appointment of political insider Stuart Levine to the Teachers Pension Board. According to her testimony, when she stalled, he laughed and said it was "a done deal."

Levine is the chief prosecution witness who's expected to admit that he and Rezko schemed to extort bribes, kickbacks and campaign donations from companies who wanted to do business with the state.

Also on the stand Monday was Susan Lichtenstein, who was the Blagojevich administration's chief lawyer. She identified an e-mail she once received about 2003 appointments, including Levine's, to the health board. The message, from a campaign official, said the administration had been working on the matter for six months with various politicians.

The e-mail then listed House Speaker Mike Madigan and Sen. Barack Obama as two of those involved. But the memo did not say if Obama and the others were recommending any of those appointments.

Rezko was not alone in making long lists of recommendations for board and commission seats. Senate President Emil Jones, Sen. Dick Durbin and campaign strategist David Wilhelm were also among the clout heavy seeking appointments for their favorites.

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