Oct 19, 2006 11:15 pm US/Central
Rezko Released From Federal Court On House Arrest
Blagojevich Confidant's Family Helped Raise $1.5M Bond
by Alita Guillen
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a political fundraiser, will be wearing an electronic monitor and staying in his Wilmette home, leaving only to go to work or come back to court.
CBS 2's Alita Guillen reports he spent more than five hours at the Dirksen Federal Building Thursday bouncing between two courtrooms because he faces so many charges.
Surrounded by reporters, Rezko said nothing as he left federal court Thursday evening. It was the end of a long day in which dozens of his family members turned out to support him.
The political fundraiser and Governor Rod Blagojevich confidant was taken into custody by federal agents at O'Hare airport Thursday.
Rezko made a voluntary return from a two month stay in his native Syria, a sign his attorney says means he was never running from fraud and extortion charges.
"This is a sign he was not running from the law," said Joseph Duffy, Rezko's attorney.
Rezko faced two judges Thursday, and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Both judges agreed on a $1.5 million bond, stripped him of his passport and put him under house arrest.
His attorney also argued he was no flight risk and has little money, adding there were so many leans on his multi-million dollar Wilmette property and Lake Geneva property that bail would be tough.
In the end nine family members rallied behind Rezko, using the equity in their homes to post bond. Rezko's attorney says that was another sign that he is not the man U.S. Attorneys say he is.
Rezko must now provide a financial affidavit. He will be back in court on November 2.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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