Rod Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years, Judge James Zagel, December 7, 2011, Tony Rezko appeal

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

Rod Blagojevich has been sentenced to 14 years.

Today we also learn that Tony Rezko, long time associate of Barack Obama and corruption crony, has filed a notice of appeal in his sentence of 10 and a half years for his June 2008 conviction.

From the Chicago Tribune, December 7, 2011.

“Attorneys for Rod Blagojevich’s former top fundraiser announced plans Tuesday to appeal his corruption-related convictions and 10 ½-year prison term, viewed by some as a baseline for the former Illinois governor in his sentencing later today.

Antoin “Tony” Rezko was sentenced last month for his 2008 convictions for fraud, money laundering and plotting to squeeze more than $7 million from companies seeking to do state business during Blagojevich’s tenure. A federal judge derided him for his “selfish and corrupt actions” in giving him 10 1/2 years, minus time served.

Rezko’s attorneys filed a notice of appeal Tuesday, but had not yet made a formal appeal to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

A different judge, James Zagel, will decide Wednesday on a sentence for Blagojevich, convicted of trying to sell or trade a U.S. Senate seat and shaking down officials for campaign contributions.”

“Rezko, 56, was a former Chicago real estate developer and fast-food entrepreneur who was well-known in Illinois politics. During Rezko’s trial, prosecutors said he raised over $1 million for Blagojevich and got so much clout in return he could control two powerful state boards. They accused him of plotting to squeeze payoffs from money management firms that sought to invest the assets of the $40 billion state Teachers Retirement System and said he plotted to get a $1.5 million bribe from a contractor who sought state approval to build a hospital.

Observers say Rezko’s sentence increases the odds Blagojevich’s term will be longer.

“Prosecutors are going to say, ‘Hey, Blagojevich was the grandmaster of all this – so he should certainly get even more time than Rezko,’” said Phil Turner, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago.

Rezko raised money for Barack Obama during his campaigns for Illinois senator, but not his presidential campaign. Obama has not been accused of wrongdoing in the case.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-rezko-to-appear-conviction-sentence-20111207,0,7666367.story