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Obama fund-raiser in fraud trial | Obama fund-raiser in fraud trial |
(30 minutes later) | |
The Chicago trial of a fund-raiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has opened with the prosecutor alleging massive fraud. | The Chicago trial of a fund-raiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has opened with the prosecutor alleging massive fraud. |
The prosecutor alleged that Antoin "Tony" Rezko was behind a $7m (£3.5m) plan to extort money from firms trying to do business with Illinois state. | |
Mr Obama has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has donated the money raised for him by Mr Rezko to charity. | Mr Obama has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has donated the money raised for him by Mr Rezko to charity. |
Mr Rezko denies the charges, saying he only raised funds for politicians. | Mr Rezko denies the charges, saying he only raised funds for politicians. |
Mr Obama's links to Mr Rezko have brought the first whiff of scandal to an election campaign that has rapidly gained momentum. | Mr Obama's links to Mr Rezko have brought the first whiff of scandal to an election campaign that has rapidly gained momentum. |
The Illinois senator bought land at a discount from his friend Mr Rezko in 2005, when the businessman was already being investigated. | The Illinois senator bought land at a discount from his friend Mr Rezko in 2005, when the businessman was already being investigated. |
Mr Obama later called the deal "boneheaded". | Mr Obama later called the deal "boneheaded". |
'Bribes' | 'Bribes' |
Besides raising $150,000 (£75,000) for Mr Obama's election campaign, Mr Rezko was also a major fund-raiser for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. | Besides raising $150,000 (£75,000) for Mr Obama's election campaign, Mr Rezko was also a major fund-raiser for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. |
Rezko was the man behind the curtains, pulling the strings Carrie E HamiltonUS federal prosecutor Whiff of scandal for Obama? | Rezko was the man behind the curtains, pulling the strings Carrie E HamiltonUS federal prosecutor Whiff of scandal for Obama? |
"When Rod Blagojevich was running for governor in 2002, the defendant was one of his biggest fund-raisers," federal prosecutor Carrie E Hamilton said in her opening statement on Thursday. | "When Rod Blagojevich was running for governor in 2002, the defendant was one of his biggest fund-raisers," federal prosecutor Carrie E Hamilton said in her opening statement on Thursday. |
"After he was elected, the defendant Rezko was one of his advisors." | "After he was elected, the defendant Rezko was one of his advisors." |
He then used his influence to place associates on key state boards, including the powerful Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, Ms Hamilton said. | He then used his influence to place associates on key state boards, including the powerful Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, Ms Hamilton said. |
In one example, the prosecutor said, Mr Rezko planned with one of the health board members, named Stuart Levine, to get bribes in return for board approval for a hospital expansion. | In one example, the prosecutor said, Mr Rezko planned with one of the health board members, named Stuart Levine, to get bribes in return for board approval for a hospital expansion. |
Mr Rezko and Mr Levine then planned a similar operation with the board of a teachers' pension fund, she said. | Mr Rezko and Mr Levine then planned a similar operation with the board of a teachers' pension fund, she said. |
"Rezko was the man behind the curtains, pulling the strings," Ms Hamilton said. | "Rezko was the man behind the curtains, pulling the strings," Ms Hamilton said. |
Passion for politics | Passion for politics |
Mr Levine has pleaded guilty in the case in a plea deal with the prosecution. | Mr Levine has pleaded guilty in the case in a plea deal with the prosecution. |
Mr Rezko's defence attorney, Joseph J Duffy, attacked Mr Levine's credibility as a witness, describing his drug use and calling him "a very, very sophisticated con man". | Mr Rezko's defence attorney, Joseph J Duffy, attacked Mr Levine's credibility as a witness, describing his drug use and calling him "a very, very sophisticated con man". |
Mr Duffy said Mr Rezko, a Syrian-born businessman, wanted nothing for himself and raised money for his favourite politicians out of a passion for politics. | Mr Duffy said Mr Rezko, a Syrian-born businessman, wanted nothing for himself and raised money for his favourite politicians out of a passion for politics. |
Mr Rezko is charged with multiple counts of fraud, of aiding and abetting in the solicitation of bribery, money laundering and attempted extortion, AFP news agency reported. | Mr Rezko is charged with multiple counts of fraud, of aiding and abetting in the solicitation of bribery, money laundering and attempted extortion, AFP news agency reported. |
The trial is expected to last for several months. | The trial is expected to last for several months. |
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