Politics

Another Fundraiser Takes Stand Against Rezko

CHICAGO (CBS) ― The federal corruption trial of political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko resumed Wednesday with testimony from another fundraiser.

CBS 2's Mike Parker reports it was a noticeable change after 15 days on the stand by the government's star witness, Stuart Levine.

Joe Cari, a former national Democratic fundraiser lists Sen. Joseph Biden as a close friend, and has worked for one-time presidential nominee John Kerry.

Cari was a witness Wednesday for the prosecution in the Rezko trial. He was asked about being pressured by Rezko. The ultimatum: contribute to the Rod Blagojevich political war chest, or lose state business.

Defense attorney Joe Duffy asked, "Did you understand he was asking you to engage in anything illegal?"

Cari answered, "I thought it was inappropriate… the content and the context."

Later during questioning by the government, Cari said he told a co-worker how he felt about the meeting with Rezko.

"I felt like I needed to take a shower," Cari said.

On Tuesday, Cari told the jury that on a private jet in 2003, the governor himself told him there were contracts and other work, "to be awarded for people who helped."

A spokesperson for the governor continues to deny that conversation ever took place.

She calls the Cari account, "absurd" and says Blagojevich barely knows Cari.

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