Politics

FBI Wiretaps Reveal Kickback Scheme In Rezko Trial

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Prosecutors say undercover recordings played Wednesday in the trial of political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko reveal outrage by a famous Hollywood producer who thought he was getting squeezed for money in a shakedown scheme.

CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, on FBI wiretaps from 2003, chief government witness Stuart Levine is heard with political bigwig William Cellini discussing producer Tom Rosenberg, of "Million Dollar Baby" fame. Rosenberg was threatening to blow the whistle on an alleged shakedown effort by Rezko and Levine. According to Levine, he and Rezko wanted a $2 million bribe in return for a state investment in Rosenberg's company.

They were worried.

Rosenberg was resisting their pressure for either a big money bribe to Levine and Rezko, or Blagojevich campaign donations, in return for a state investment.

This is a transcription of those tapes, in which Cellini had just spoken with Rosenberg.

Levine: "If Tom feels that he'd rather walk away from the money than deal with Tony, then there it is."

Cellini: "Tom said 'I'm sick at my stomach. This is, this is making me sick at my stomach....I wouldn't have any association with these guys. They got 48 hours if they're going to do this to me and think they're going to blackmail me. I'll take them down.'"

The two then discuss telling Rezko of Rosenberg's threat.

Levine: "Well, when he comes back we'll tell him what happened."

Cellini: "Yeah, I mean I think we gotta alert him to what… my guess is that you know Tommy is a vicious guy."

Levine: "Well you know, he is a um, he's a bad guy, Tommy."

Cellini: "Well, do you...what ..what it is…we don't want to play chicken with him though."

At one point, the financier and movie producer threatened to stand at "State and Madison" to complain about what was going on.

Rosenberg's firm, Capri Capital, ultimately got the deal he wanted from the Teachers' Retirement System Investment Fund, and he never had to pay the bribe.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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