He is “traveling abroad”. I’d be surprised if he bothers returning to the country.

A fundraiser and political confidant of Gov. Rod Blagojevich missed his arraignment Friday on federal charges that he swindled investors and used fraud to get a $10 million loan.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko, 51, was traveling overseas but intends to return to face the charges next week, defense attorney Joseph J. Duffy told U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel.

Wednesday's indictments caught the real estate and fast food entrepreneur by surprise, Duffy told the judge.

"I spoke with him this morning and he told me that he was aware of his obligation as a citizen, and he was prepared to meet that obligation," Duffy said. The judge continued the arraignment to next Thursday.

The attorney said Rezko also would miss a court appearance later Friday on separate charges that he and millionaire campaign contributor Stuart Levine plotted to shake down investment firms seeking state business for kickbacks.
Duffy told reporters he did not know Rezko's exact whereabouts.

Prosecutors had said after the two indictments were unsealed that Rezko, of suburban Wilmette, could be considered a fugitive if he failed to show up for his arraignment. An arrest warrant was issued earlier this week.

Given the level of corruption endemic in the Illinois Democrat Party, the shakedowns and kickbacks of which Mr. Rezko is accused are no surprise. Starting with the Chicago machine and oozing on Downstate, there is a long history of such shenanigans among Democrats in the state. Indeed, that is why the state went over two decades without electing a Democrat as governor – and why the GOP refused to stand behind former governor George Ryan when his illegal conduct was uncovered.

My question is when the indictment of Blagojevich will be handed down.

Posted by: Greg at 12:22 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 307 words, total size 2 kb.