Issue
Will the stiff prison sentence of Antoin Rezko, one of President Barack Obama’s major fundraisers in the 2008 Presidential Election, deter corruption?
Lead
The New York Times, in a story by Stephen Yaccino, reports (quote):
More than three years after his conviction on fraud and bribery charges, Antoin Rezko, a former real estate mogul and a once-powerful fund-raiser with ties to President Obama’s early political career, was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 and a half years in prison.
Source: Stephen Yaccino, “Former Obama Fund-Raiser Gets Over 10 Years in Fraud and Bribery Case,” NEW YORK TIMES
More Story
Yaccino also wrote (quote):
In 2008, Mr. Rezko was convicted of 16 counts that included fraud, money laundering and bribery in an influence-peddling scheme that involved some of the highest-ranking officials in the state. Mr. Rezko was accused of using his connections with top political leaders to influence decisions made by two state boards in an attempt to get millions of dollars in kickbacks.
xx xx xx
Mr. Rezko’s trial is better remembered in Illinois as a preamble to the indictment, impeachment and trial of former Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich, who was eventually found guilty of a wide range of corruption charges, including an attempt to sell Mr. Obama’s former Senate seat. Mr. Blagojevich is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
Source: NEW YORK TIMES
MJB’s Comments
Did Rezko abuse the public trust?
Was the sentence too harsh?
Was the sentence too lenient?
Is there a more effective way to deter corruption?
What, if any, are the broader implications of Rezko’s conviction and sentence?
Remember that Rezko’s corrupt activites did not involve President Obama or the President’s 2008 Presidential Election campaign. Rezko case involved his attempt to influence decisions of two Illinois state boards.
But, the case became a high profile case because of Rezko’s fundraising activies on behalf of President Obama in 2008.
Comment and share your thoughts on the subject
Web Coverage + Links
- Former Obama Fund-Raiser Sentenced (online.wsj.com)
- Ex-Blagojevich Aide ‘Tony’ Rezko Sentenced to 10 1/2 Years for Extortion (politics.blogs.foxnews.com)
- Tony Rezko Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison (michellemalkin.com)
- Obama’s Housing Partner: Tony Rezko Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison (tarpon.wordpress.com)
- Blagojevich Adviser Gets 10.5 Years (time.com)
- Former Blagojevich Fundraiser Gets 10 1/2 Years In Prison (huffingtonpost.com)
- Blagojevich fundraiser sentenced to 10-1/2 years (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Obama’s Chickens Coming Home To Roost: Obama Fundraiser Tony Rezko Sentenced To 10.5 Years (politicalvelcraft.org)
Clever Headline
- Obama’s Chickens Coming Home To Roost: Obama Fundraiser Tony Rezko Sentenced To 10.5 Years (politicalvelcraft.org)
More Comments
Are there conceivably more “chickens coming home to roost?”
If so, when and how?
