Mar 5, 2008 12:05 pm US/Central
Jury Seated For Rezko Trial
Opening Statements To Begin Thursday
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
-
-
Antoin "Tony" Rezko (File)
CBS
A jury has been impaneled for the trial of political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who set to have his day in court on multiple corruption charges.
The jury of 12 jurors and six alternates was impaneled before noon Wednesday. CBS 2's Mike Parker reports they will be sworn in on Thursday and opening statements will follow.
Rezko is charged with money laundering, attempted extortion, fraud and aiding bribery.
Federal prosecutors will try to prove that Rezko was at the top of a pay-to-play scenario, conducting illegal shakedowns and kickback schemes, in part to benefit the governor's campaign fund, in return for state jobs and other favors.
He was once a close adviser to Gov. Rod Blagojevich and raised thousands of dollars for his campaign, as well as Barack Obama's campaign for U.S. Senate.
Obama sent the Rezko contributions to charity, and said none of it funded his presidential campaign. Blagojevich has not been accused of any wrongdoing, although he is named in the indictment and other documents against Rezko as "Public Official A," who allegedly benefited from corrupt schemes involving state jobs and pension fund investments.
Blagojevich has declined to discuss the issues and has denied that he is "Public Official A."
CBS 2's Mike Parker contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Jewish Celebrities
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
