Rezko back in the news: Son of Nation of Islam founder says Rezko embezzled him

[draft_mario_cuomo]

==Associated Press - June 27, 2007 7:24 AM ET

CHICAGO (AP) - A son of Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad is accusing indicted businessman Tony Rezko of taking his home.

Jabir Muhammad tells the Chicago Sun-Times that Rezko "embezzled" him out of 8 properties, including the home he currently lives in.==

==The Sun-Times reports that Rezko's lawyers produced a contract signed by Muhammad and his wife showing they sold their home and three adjacent lots to Rezko in 1993 for $519,000. Nine years later, Rezko sold the property for $2.8 million.==

==Rezko has pleaded not-guilty to charges that accuse him of shaking down firms that wanted to do business with the state of Illinois.==

http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=6715520&nav=1sW7

For background on why Rezko matters see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x36365

[BeyondGeography]

1. He was back in the news first thing yesterday morning

What took you so long?

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[William769]

22. And your not?

[madrchsod]

3. sun times article-- "House lost to Rezko?"

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/444941,CST-NWS-rezko27.article
House lost to Rezko? :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics

[Capn Sunshine]

4. who?

and why do we care?

[draft_mario_cuomo]

5. Here

==That editorial appeared shortly after the Tribune reported Rezko's involvement in Obama's purchase of his Hyde Park home. That transaction occurred after it was common knowledge in Chicago that Rezko was the subject of a federal investigation. After that disclosure, Obama distanced himself from Rezko and said he had made a mistake in judgment.==

==On June 13, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that as a state senator, Obama wrote letters to city and state officials supporting Rezko's successful bid to get more than $14 million from taxpayers to build apartments for senior citizens. The Sun-Times said the deal included $855,000 in development fees for Rezko and his partner, Allison S. Davis, Obama's former boss, according to records from the project, which was four blocks outside Obama's state Senate district. Obama's campaign responded that Obama's letters weren't intended as a favor for Rezko or Davis, but rather in the interest of the people in the community who have benefited from the project. An attorney for Rezko, who has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of influence peddling and bank fraud, told the newspaper that Rezko never sought a letter from Obama in connection with the project.

* On June 14, The New York Times weighed in with a front-page story on the Obama-Rezko relationship. The story reported that Rezko "is known around Chicago as a collector of politicians" and added: "Mr. Obama has portrayed Mr. Rezko as a one-time fund-raiser whom he had occasionally seen socially. But interviews with more than a dozen political and business associates suggest that the two men were closer than the senator has indicated. ..." The story didn't break much new ground. But its appearance on the front page of the Times elevated the Obama-Rezko relationship to new and, for Obama's campaign, uncomfortable heights.

* On Monday, the Sun-Times reported that during his 12 years in politics, Obama has received nearly three times as much campaign cash from Rezko and his associates as he has acknowledged. "Obama has collected at least $168,308 from Rezko and his circle," the newspaper reported. "Obama also has taken in an unknown amount of money from people who attended fund-raising events hosted by Rezko since the mid-1990s." Seven months ago, Obama told the paper his best estimate was that Rezko had raised "between $50,000 and $60,000" for him during his career.==

Read the rest at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0619edit1jun19,1,7565552.story

==Obama buys Rezko land at $300,000 discount

Over the years, Rezko, Mahru, their wives and businesses have given more than $50,000 to Obama's campaign funds, records show. And Rezko has helped raise millions more.==

==Two years ago, Obama bought a mansion on the South Side, in the Kenwood neighborhood, from a doctor. On the same day, Rezko's wife, Rita Rezko, bought the vacant lot next door from the same seller. The doctor had listed the properties for sale together. He sold the house to Obama for $300,000 below the asking price. The doctor got his asking price on the lot from Rezko's wife.

Last year, Rita Rezko sold a strip of that vacant lot to Obama for $104,500 -- a deal Obama later apologized for, acknowledging that people might think he got a favor from Rezko. Obama called the episode "boneheaded'' and a "mistake.''

At the time Obama bought that strip of land, it had been reported that Rezko was under federal investigation for influence-peddling involving the administration of Blagojevich, whose campaign also received Rezko's financial support.==

Read the rest at http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/353829,CST-NWS-rez23.article

[Ethelk2044]

7. Another Lie Debunked Obama did not receive three times the about of Money

Dobbs falsely claimed Sun-Times report said Obama received "at least $168,000" from indicted businessman
On the June 18 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, host Lou Dobbs falsely claimed that the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (IL) "received at least $168,000 from" indicted businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko. But the Sun-Times did not report that Obama received $168,000 from Rezko, nor could he have; it reported in a June 18 article that "Obama has collected at least $168,308 from Rezko and his circle" -- an assertion that, the article reported, is itself disputed by the Obama campaign.

According to the Center for Responsible Politics, Rezko donated $11,500 to Obama's 2004 Senate campaign, as well as $1,000 to Obama's unsuccessful 2000 campaign for an Illinois House seat, not the $168,000 Dobbs claimed the Sun-Times reported. Rezko's wife, Rita, donated $1,500 to Obama's 2004 Senate campaign and $1,000 to Obama's 2000 House campaign. As The New York Times explained in an April 3 article: "Mr. Obama was able to accept up to $12,000 from each donor, or six times the limit at that time," because he was running against "a self-financed opponent in the Democratic primary."

The Sun-Times reported that "Obama has collected at least $168,308 from Rezko and his circle. Obama also has taken in an unknown amount of money from people who attended fund-raising events hosted by Rezko since the mid-1990s." The Sun-Times further reported that "the campaign was sticking by its original estimate that Rezko raised no more than $60,000."

From the June 18 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight:

DOBBS: New revelations about campaign contributions to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama: those contributions from an indicted businessman.

The Chicago Sun-Times, reporting that Senator Obama received at least $168,000 from that businessman. Obama says he, however, accepted only $50,000 to $60,000 of that money. The Illinois Democrat still reeling from criticism over a memorandum attacking Democratic rival Senator Hillary Clinton's ties to India.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200706190011

[draft_mario_cuomo]

8. What about the $300,000 "contribution" to Obama's mansion?

The article I posted said the following:
* On Monday, the Sun-Times reported that during his 12 years in politics, Obama has received nearly three times as much campaign cash from Rezko and his associates as he has acknowledged. "Obama has collected at least $168,308 from Rezko and his circle," the newspaper reported. "Obama also has taken in an unknown amount of money from people who attended fund-raising events hosted by Rezko since the mid-1990s." Seven months ago, Obama told the paper his best estimate was that Rezko had raised "between $50,000 and $60,000" for him during his career.==

[Ethelk2044]

9. This is all lies Media Matters have already proven it was a lie

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

11. Where was it proven to be a lie? nt

[jefferson_dem]

21. Roll on the floor, laugh out loud all you want.

Mario doesn't care what MM has to say.

...unless they have a juicy hit piece on Obama that is.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

24. What exactly did MM "prove" to be a lie?

Thanks in advance.

[Ethelk2044]

28. It just made Mario look like a FOOL

:rofl:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

29. What exactly did MM "prove" to be a lie, aside from Dobbs' statement? nt

[jefferson_dem]

32. You're not back to the old - "my OP is only half false" defense again, are you?

:shrug:

[jefferson_dem]

31. No shit. Looks like Mario has taken sides -

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/6/11/154620.shtml

over

http://mediamatters.org/issues_topics/search_results?qstring=rezko

C'est La Vie.

[Capn Sunshine]

12. Oh yeah, Barack's neighbor.

And this is what exactly? Jeese if you took all the sleazes hovering around DC and Hillary it will fill ten pages.


This is an OLD story. Can't you find anything recet to discuss?
I forgot. You're not here to discuss things are you.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

13. How many "neighbors" pay for a $300,000 discount for you?

:rofl:

[Ethelk2044]

6. Media ignore key details in Obama/Rezko letter story

On June 13, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), while serving as an Illinois state senator in 1998, "did a political favor" for Chicago Democratic fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko by writing letters to state and local government officials in support of a Chicago housing project proposed by Rezko's company, New Kenwood LLC. The Sun-Times asserted that the "letters appear to contradict a statement last December from Obama, who told the Chicago Tribune that, in all the years he's known Rezko, 'I've never done any favors for him.' '' In reporting on this story, however, several media outlets omitted statements included in the Sun-Times article that challenge the paper's assertion that Obama performed a "favor" for Rezko -- specifically, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton's claim that "I don't know that anyone specifically asked him to write this letter," and Rezko's attorney's claim that Rezko "never spoke with, nor sought a letter from, Senator Obama in connection with that project."

In October 2006, Rezko was indicted on charges that he "used his influence as one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's closest advisers and fundraisers to seek millions of dollars in kickbacks and campaign donations from firms seeking state business," according to the Chicago Tribune.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200706140007

[draft_mario_cuomo]

10. Yeah, Obama just coincidentally wrote a letter to aid one of his top donors

:sarcasm:

==specifically, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton's claim that "I don't know that anyone specifically asked him to write this letter," and Rezko's attorney's claim that Rezko "never spoke with, nor sought a letter from, Senator Obama in connection with that project."==

:rofl: I am sure Rezko never asked his powerful friend to do him a favor. Surely there are transcripts of every word they spoke to each other that will show that Rezko never asked the man who he funneled thousands of dollars to and who did legal work for him (while his state senate constituents froze in Rezko-owned buildings) to help him.

[Capn Sunshine]

14. ... and "some people say".......

cripes for a Hillary clone you should know better. It's disturbing and telling that you don't.

Reinforces my argument about Hillary's inability to campaign in the general.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

16. Ok. It was just a coincidence, as was the $300,000 Rezko paid for Obama's mansion discount nt

[Ethelk2044]

15. Hey that is what media matters is supposed to do investigate and find out the truth

No matter who the candidate is. They did and they prove what you are stating is an out and out lie. You have a problem with them investigating your and everyone else's lies about Obama or Edwards or Hillary go talk to THEM.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

17. What exactly did they prove?

Aside from the fact that Lou Dobbs misread an article?

prove /pruv/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, proved, proved or prov·en, prov·ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument: to prove one's claim.

[Ethelk2044]

20. He did not mis read the article he knew what he was saying it was a LIE

[draft_mario_cuomo]

23. Who cares what Dobbs said? It doesn't change the facts about Obama's Rezko ties

He still raised about $168,000 from Rezko and Rezko's cronies. To deflect attention from that you guys focus on Dobbs. :eyes:

[zulchzulu]

18. I will NEVER vote for Rezko! Ever!

Did Rezko drop out of the race yet?

:crazy:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

19. Will he ever serve time in prison? He can get a pardon from his pal Obama

If Obama wins and his pal (who is so friendly with Obama that he pays $300,000 for a discount on Obama's mansion!) Rezko is not convicted before Obama takes office Rezko may never serve a day in the slammer.

[Ethelk2044]

25. He can get Pardon by Edwards

[draft_mario_cuomo]

26. Does Edwards get paid $300,000 to cover a discount on his house too by Rezko?

Say it ain't so!

[Ethelk2044]

34. Nor did Obama

http://mediamatters.org/items/200706150006


MSNBC's Carlson falsely suggested Rezko purchased Obama's house
On the June 14 edition of MSNBC's Tucker, host Tucker Carlson falsely suggested that Chicago Democratic fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko had purchased Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) Chicago home for Obama. Referring to a June 14 New York Times article on Obama and Rezko's relationship, Carlson said of Obama: "t's like, buy your own house. You know what I mean? I think a normal person would have concluded that" -- a reference to a 2005 real estate deal Obama entered into with Rezko.

In fact, Rezko's wife purchased a lot adjacent to the house on which the Obamas had successfully bid, reportedly to meet the seller's demand that both properties be sold at once. The Times reported:

People familiar with the transaction said that the sellers did not want to close until that June 15, and that the sale would go through only if someone bought the adjacent lot from them on the same date. Rita Rezko paid $625,000 to outbid others for the lot and later sold the Obamas one-sixth of that land, for $104,500.

The Chicago-Sun Times reported on February 23 that Rita Rezko sold the remainder of the lot to a law firm owned by her husband's business attorney in late 2006. According to the Sun-Times, Rezko's profit from both sales totaled $54,500.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

35. Thank you

After further review it seems you are correct. Aside from the issue of him being so close to a crook, there apparently is nothing that is facially wrong about the deal. I retract my comments about the $300,000, etc. on the issue, although I will continue to speak out about his close ties to Rezko. I will no longer make inaccurate statements about the deal, though.

[zulchzulu]

27. Yeah, a Senator can pardon someone in prison...what civics class did you take?

Obviously you are not only grasping at straws, you're sticking them up some portion of your body below your belt.

Take eighth grade over...do us a favor.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

30. Apparently you failed reading 101...

draft_mario_cuomo (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu Jun-28-07 06:29 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. Will he ever serve time in prison? He can get a pardon from his pal Obama

Edited on Thu Jun-28-07 06:30 PM by draft_mario_cuomo
If Obama wins and his pal (who is so friendly with Obama that he pays $300,000 for a discount on Obama's mansion!) Rezko is not convicted before Obama takes office Rezko may never serve a day in the slammer.
Signature lines are currently turned off due to high traffic.

[H2O Man]

33. Elijah Muhammad

did not found the NOI.