Tony Rezko's Ties with Obama and Biden

Before the connection between them is explained, let me tell you who Tony Rezko is. From Wikipedia:

"Antoin "Tony" Rezko (born 1955) is an American political fundraiser, restaurateur, and real estate developer in Chicago, Illinois, convicted on several counts of fraud and bribery in 2008. Rezko has been involved in fundraising for local Illinois Democratic and Republican politicians since the 1980s. After becoming a major contributor to Rod Blagojevich's successful gubernatorial election, Rezko assisted Blagojevich in setting up the state's first Democratic administration in twenty years. Rezko was able to have business associates appointed onto several state boards. Rezko and several others were indicted on federal charges in October 2006, for using their connections to the state boards to demand kickbacks from businesses that wanted to do business with the state. While the others pleaded guilty to the charges, Rezko pleaded not guilty and was found guilty of 16 of the 24 charges filed against him."

Now, onto the connection:

Is Rezko Explaining How Much Tainted Money He Has Provided To Obama's Political Campaigns?

Obama Has Acknowledged That Rezko Has Raised About $250,000 For His Campaigns. "For the first time, Sen. Barack Obama put a figure Friday to the amount of campaign contributions that indicted political fund-raiser Tony Rezko raised for the senator's campaigns, and the number -- about $250,000 -- was far more than he previously acknowledged." (Tim Novak, Chris Fusco, Dave McKinney and Carol Marin, "More Rezko Dough Found," Chicago Sun-Times, 3/15/08)

However The Most Recently Reported Total Of Rezko Related Funds The Obama Campaign Has Donated To Charity Is $160,000. "Obama, seeking to distance himself from his patron [Rezko], has donated $160,000 in Rezko-related contributions to charity." (Dan Morain, "Obama To Be In Background Of Trial," Los Angeles Times, 3/3/08)

Is Rezko Explaining What Favors Obama Or His Office Provided To Him?

"[S]en. Barack Obama's Ties To Indicted Dealmaker Antoin 'Tony' Rezko Include An Internship The Senator Provided The Son Of A Contributor At The Request Of Rezko, An Obama Spokesman Confirmed Saturday." (Frank Main, "Internship Also Links Obama, Rezko," Chicago Sun-Times, 12/24/06)

Rezko Recommended A Business Associate's Son For "One Of The Coveted Summer Internships" In Obama's Senate Office. "Political fundraiser Antoin 'Tony' Rezko made a modest pitch to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama last year. Rezko recommended a 20-year-old student from Glenview for one of the coveted summer internships in Obama's Capitol Hill office. The student got the job and spent five weeks in Washington, answering Obama's front office phone and logging constituent mail. The student was paid an $804 stipend, about $160 per week, for a position valued mostly for the experience it provides." (David Jackson and Ray Gibson, "Obama Intern Had Ties To Rezko," Chicago Tribune, 12/24/06)

"As A State Senator, Barack Obama Wrote Letters To City And State Officials Supporting His Political Patron Tony Rezko's Successful Bid To Get More Than $14 Million From Taxpayers To Build Apartments For Senior Citizens." (Tim Novak, "Obama's Letters For Rezko," Chicago Sun-Times, 6/13/07)

Is Rezko Describing How He Helped Obama Save $300,000 On His House?

Obama Purchased His Chicago Home For $300,000 Less Than The Asking Price While Rezko's Wife, Rita Rezko, Purchased The Adjoining Lot For The Full Asking Price. "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." (Tim Novak, "Obama And His Rezko Ties," Chicago Sun-Times, 4/23/07)

Is Rezko Explaining Whether Or Not Obama Could Have Afforded His Home Without Rezko's Help?

Obama Originally Said That He Could Not Afford To Purchase The Parcel Of Land Rezko's Wife Purchased And That The House Itself Was Already A Stretch. "It was 'already a stretch' to buy the house, Obama said, so the vacant lot was not affordable for his family." (Ray Gibson and David Jackson, "Rezko Owns Vacant Lot Next To Obama's Home," Chicago Tribune, 11/1/06)

But Obama Later Said That He Did Not Need Help Purchasing "Both Or Either Of The Tracts" Of Land Involved In The Purchase Of His Chicago Home. Reporter: "Did you generally or expressively state a need for help in buying both or either of the tracts?" Obama: "No, I didn't need help." ("Interview With Obama: Still Confident," Time.com, 3/6/08)

Is Rezko Describing The Toast Obama Gave To Iraqi Billionaire Nadhmi Auchi At A Reception In Rezko's Home?

According To Rezko Trial Testimony, Obama Attended A Reception For Nadhmi Auchi At The Home Of Tony Rezko April 3, 2004. "When Iraqi-born billionaire Nadhmi Auchi attended an April 3, 2004 reception for himself at Tony Rezko's home White House hopeful Barack Obama, and his wife, attended the reception, Stuart Levine testified just now in the trial." (Natasha Korecki, "Obama Bomb Dropped," Chicago Sun-Times' "Eye On Rezko" Blog, http://blogs.suntimes.com/rezko/, 4/14/08)

Auchi Was A Member Of The Baath Party In Iraq Before Moving To Great Britain In 1981, And Though He Denies Having Any Ties To Saddam Hussein, Reports Have Auchi Selling Naval Ships To Hussein. "A member of the Baath party in Iraq before Saddam Hussein came to power, Mr. Auchi moved to Great Britain in 1981. He has denied having any ties to Mr. Hussein and blames the ousted dictator for the 1998 murder of his brother, according to British media reports. Yet other media repor ts indicate he sold naval ships to Mr. Hussein's government in the 1980s..." (Alby Gallun and Greg Hinz, "Rezko Sells Loop Project For $131 Million," Crain's Chicago Business, 9/29/05)

"[A]ccording To Two Sources Familiar With The Gathering, The Obamas Attended The Wilmette Reception, Which Came Less Than A Month After Obama's Democratic Primary Win For His U.S. Senate Seat." (Natasha Korecki, Chris Fusco and Tim Novak, "Obama's Name In Rezko Trial," Chicago Sun-Times, 4/15/08)

A Source Told The Chicago Sun-Times That "Obama Not Only Gave Rezko's Guest Of Honor, Iraqi Billionaire Nadhmi Auchi, A Big Welcome . . . But He Made A Few Toasts!" "Dem presidential contender Barack Obama's handlers may be telling the press Obama has NO 'recollection' of a 2004 party at influence peddler Tony Rezko's Wilmette house, but a top Sneed source claims Obama not only gave Rezko's guest of honor, Iraqi billionaire Nadhmi Auchi, a big welcome . . . but he made a few toasts!" (Michael Sneed, "Which Is It? Obamarama..." Chicago Sun-Times, 4/16/08)

Is Rezko Describing Whether Obama Is The Illinois Government Official Rezko Asked To Help Auchi Obtain A Visa?

Rezko "Asked Certain Illinois Government Officials" To Help Auchi Obtain A Visa To Visit The U.S. After He Had Previously Been Turned Down By The State Department. "The filing says when Auchi was unable to obtain a visa to visit the United States in 2005, Rezko intervened and 'asked certain Illinois government officials' to appeal the State Department's ruling." (Brain Ross, "Obama 'Backer' Rezko Ordered To Jail," ABC News' "The Blotter" Blog, www .abcnews.com, 1/28/08)

The Government Officials Approached Are Not Known, But Sen. Obama Had Just Taken Office In The U.S. Senate In 2005. "The officials who Rezko approached are not specified. Sen. Obama had just taken office as a U.S. senator in 2005, the same year he sought Rezko's help in the purchase of his home." (Brain Ross, "Obama 'Backer' Rezko Ordered To Jail," ABC News' "The Blotter" Blog, www.abcnews.com, 1/28/08)

Is Rezko Describing The $3.5 Million Wire Transfer Provided To Him By Nadhmi Auchi?

"In A Court Hearing In Chicago, Prosecutors Detailed A $3.5 Million Wire Transfer From A Bank In Beirut, Lebanon That They Said Was Moved Through A Series Of Accounts Until It Reached Rezko Or Some Of His Relatives Who Had Posted Property For His Bond." (Brain Ross, "Obama 'Backer' Rezko Ordered To Jail," ABC News' "The Blotter" Blog, www.abcnews.com, 1/28/08)

"Under The Terms Of His Agreement, Prosecutors Said In A Filing With The Court, Rezko Was Obligated To Disclose Any Change In His Financial Status." (Brain Ross, "Obama 'Backer' Rezko Ordered To Jail," ABC News' "The Blotter" Blog, www.abcnews.com, 1/28/08)

"In Court, Prosecutors Said Rezko Had Become A 'Flight Risk' Because Of His Secretive Transactions In The Mideast." (Brain Ross, "Obama 'Backer' Rezko Ordered To Jail," ABC News' "The Blotter" Blog, www.abcnews.com, 1/28/08)

"According To The Court Filings, The Money Came From A Company, General Mediterranean, Owned By A British-Based Iraqi Billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi, Who Was Convicted In France On Fraud Charges." (Brain Ross, "Obama 'Backer' Rezko Ordered To Jail," ABC News' "The Blotter" Blog, www.abcnews.com, 1/28/08)

Auchi's Wire Transfer To Rezko Came Less Than Two Months Before The Obamas And Rita Rezko Closed On The Purchases Of The Obama Home And Adjoining Lot Respectively. "April 28, 2005: Mr. Auchi's conglomerate General Mediterranean Holding (GMH) lends $3.5 Million to Tony Rezko. ... June 15 2005: Mr. Rezko's wife Rita buys garden plot on same day as Obamas buy neighbouring mock Georgian mansion from same seller. Mrs. Rezko pays asking price of $625,000, with a $500,000 mortgage. Obamas pay $1.65 million, which is $300,000 less than the asking price." ("Timeline: British Billionaire And Barack Obama," [UK] Times Online, www.timesonline.co.uk, 2/25/08)

Is Rezko Describing Joseph Cari's Relationship With Joe Biden?

Joseph Cari Pleaded Guilty In Conjunction With The Rezko Case. "Chicago restaurateur and real estate developer Antoin 'Tony' Rezko, one of Mr. Obama's first major political donors, was convicted in June on charges of using his Illinois connections to seek kickbacks from firms wanting to do business with the state - an investigation that also netted a guilty plea from Joseph Cari Jr., former national finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee and a longtime supporter and political adviser to Mr. Biden." (Jerry Seper, "Longtime Biden Backer Linked To Rezko," The Washington Times, 8/28/08)

Cari Admitted To Participating In An $850,000 Kickback Scheme. "Cari, 55, a Chicago lawyer and former chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), admitted in a 2005 plea agreement with U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald to taking part in an $850,000 kickback scheme, which federal prosecutors said was part of a larger political fundraising operation overseen by Rezko." (Jerry Seper, "Longtime Biden Backer Linked To Rezko," The Washington Times, 8/28/08)

Cari Served As Biden's Midwest Field Director During His First Presidential Campaign In 1988. "When the Delaware senator began contemplating his own 2008 presidential run, he initially was helped by Chicago lawyer Joseph Cari Jr., who also served as Biden's Midwest field director in his failed 1988 bid for president." (Dave McKinney, "Biden Has Deep Ties To Rezko Accomplice," Chicago Sun-Times, 8/25/08)

Biden: "All I know is Joe Cari is a friend, and he's an honorable guy, but I don't know anything beyond that." (Dave McKinney, "Biden Has Deep Ties To Rezko Accomplice," Chicago Sun-Times, 8/25/08)

Cari Has Contributed At Least $4,000 To Biden. "[Cari] also has given more than $100,000 directly to candidates, including $4,000 to Mr. Biden." (Jerry Seper, "Lon gtime Biden Backer Linked To Rezko," The Washington Times, 8/28/08)

Thanks to gop.com for the info. I encourage you to visit their site, there is much more juicy info on Obama.

(Emphasis added by me)