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No bail for Obama money-man
28/01/2008 21:05 - (SA)
Chicago - Indicted political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who has poured thousands of dollars into Barack Obama's political campaigns, was arrested by federal agents on Monday after his $2m (about R14.4m) bail was revoked.
The United States Attorney's office and FBI agent Tom Simon confirmed the property developer and fast-food magnate's arrest at his home in a suburb of Chicago, but would not discuss the reasoning behind the government's bail revocation motion.
After his arrest, Rezko sat reading at a defence table in US district judge Amy J St Eve's courtroom, watched by two FBI agents who refused to comment. The agents said reporters could not speak with Rezko because he was "in custody".
The court was then closed to reporters until an afternoon hearing in the case.
No indication of problems
Rezko's attorney, Joseph Duffy, did not respond to a call to his office seeking comment.
Rezko has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, attempted extortion and money laundering, and is scheduled to stand trial on February. 25.
Rezko had been a fundraiser for Obama for a long time. The Democratic presidential candidate and senator from Illinois has said he had no indication of problems with Rezko when he accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.
When prosecutors unsealed their charges against Rezko in 2006, Obama gave $11 500 (about R83 000) in Rezko contributions to charities.
Obama has since sought to distance himself from Rezko, even as his main Democratic rival - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton - invoked Rezko's name and his "slum-lord business" during a recent debate.
Earlier this month, Obama gave to charity more than $40 000 (about R288 000) in past political contributions from seven individuals with ties to Rezko.
Obama also has had to answer questions about how Rezko became involved in the purchase of the Obama family home as well as other ties that go back more than 15 years.
'Businesses pressured'
Obama has not been accused of wrongdoing involving Rezko or anyone else.
Rezko is charged in a 24-count indictment with pressuring businesses seeking work before two state regulatory boards to make campaign contributions and payoffs.
Once the estimated eight- to 12-week trial is over, Rezko still will face federal charges alleging he swindled General Electric Capital Corporation out of $10m (about R72m) in connection with the sale of two pizza restaurant chains.
- AP
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