Witnesses Say Blagojevich Abided by Rezko Endorsements
It’s only day two of Tony Rezko’s trial so I didn’t expect any bombshells involving Sen. Barack Obama. Maybe there won’t be. One Democrat who has been pummeled is Governor Rod Blagojevich. Witnesses testified Rezko’s endorsement ensured placement on state boards and commissions:
If “T.R.” accompanied the names of people being considered for board and commission seats, they stood a good chance of being appointed by the governor, according to former Blagojevich administration employees who testified Monday during Rezko’s corruption trial.
The testimony also revealed that Rezko had direct access to Blagojevich’s patronage chief, who met in Rezko’s office every Monday morning to discuss appointments and job vacancies.
Rezko’s lawyers, however, downplayed their client’s reach into the governor’s office, noting that dozens of politicians — including Mayor Daley, state Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) — also pushed to have people they knew appointed to state boards. Rezko, they suggested, did not have extraordinary influence over Blagojevich, let alone the ability to scheme and defraud taxpayers as prosecutors allege.
“Witnesses Tout T.R.’s Clout” [via Rezkorama]
[picture via soundfromwayout]
UPDATE: Natasha Korecki adds some context to Obama’s role in the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board Rezko is accused of using for his benefit:
An addendem: Obama’s involvement in this issue was in helping craft legislation that recreated the health planning board. The board was changed in 2003, downsized from 15 members to 9 and extended for five more years, among other changes. Obama was one of eight people to work on the legislation. The memo does not indicate Obama was involved in recommending board members.
[via Hugh Hewitt]
