Rezko singing about Giannoulias?
posted at 2:32 pm on October 10, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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According to Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed, Tony Rezko may be giving the feds a much longer and broader look at Chicago Machine politics than first thought. Her sources tell her that Rezko has started singing about a politically-connected bank, and that may mean more trouble for Illinois state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, and perhaps Barack Obama as well:
Sneed hears rumbles political fund-raiser/fixer Tony Rezko, who is now singing sweetly to the feds from his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, has been talking about his “dealings” with a Chicago bank, which has political connections.
Stay tuned.
Hillbuzz breaks this news down:
We just spoke with someone well-connected in Chicago politics who told us that the bank Sneed is talking about has to be Broadway Bank, which is owned by the politically-connected Giannoulias family. We were told that Sneed’s column confirms rumblings people we know heard independently that Tony Rezko is giving up the Giannoulias family to Patrick Fitzgerald — Rezko and the Giannoulias family are as close and tied together as anyone in Chicago could be. If Rezko is turning on them, then Rezko is going to give up Governor Rod Blagojevich and Obama too.
We don’t want to end up in cement shoes for implying anything here, but if you live in Chicago for any length of time, you hear rumors about Broadway Bank, the Giannoulias family, and insert Tony Soprano references here. Kapeech?
Giannoulias has come up before for those looking into Obama’s political dealings. I wrote about it at Captain’s Quarters, and recapped it in August when Giannoulias spoke at the Democratic Convention. Giannoulias approved millions of dollars in loans from his family’s bank, Broadway, to Michael “Jaws” Giordano after the latter got convicted on federal charges relating to bookmaking and prostitution in 2004. The loans paid for a casino fleet in Florida in 2005, an odd risk to take for someone who had a record as a pimp and a bookie.
So how is Giannoulias connected to Obama? Hillbuzz continues:
One favor political Chicago claims Obama did for the Giannoulias family was in 2006 when, out of the blue, 29 year old Alexi Giannoulias, with no experience, and without ever having voted before, decides to run for State Treasurer of Illinois. Also out of the blue, Barack Obama endorses Alexi Giannoulias for State Treasurer. This was a SHOCK to everyone in Chicago — and Giannoulias would have never become State Treasurer without Obama’s help.
The rest of the post relies on speculation that hasn’t yet been borne out. However, if the feds want to go after Giannoulias, it would be yet another Obama ally in Chicago to come under suspicion of political corruption. And this is one Obama endorsed, despite having no experience at all. At the very least, it again calls into question Obama’s political judgment in selecting his allies and friends.
Keep an eye out for further developments, although they will likely come slowly.
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Just how many acorns are there?
Vashta.Nerada on October 10, 2008 at 2:35 PM
I KNEW there was more. I’m sure there is STILL more.
Oink on October 10, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Is it possible? Could THIS be the break we’ve been looking for to pierce that armor inside the circles wagons of the media?
If there is any truth to this, the media will not be able to get away with simply ignoring it or even downplaying it.
JamesLee on October 10, 2008 at 2:36 PM
New ACORN ad!
http://ace.mu.nu/archives/275318.php
Enoxo on October 10, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Let’s hope more comes out before it’s to late to save our country from the O.
tee866 on October 10, 2008 at 2:38 PM
They better have Rezko in a place where NO one can get to him. His days may be numbered. I hope he gives up All the names.
L
letget on October 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
I’m not Italian, but I think the word is “capisca”…not to get too far off track.
At any rate, Obama appears to be a full-blown crook. Is this stuff too complicated to resonate?
capitalist piglet on October 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
but HBO told us that the Sopranos and the Mob were conservatives and ‘just like bush’.
jp on October 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
“Lies, all lies. They are all racists.”
I am Barack Obama and I approve this message.
BobK on October 10, 2008 at 2:40 PM
anybody remember the Sopranos episode where they did a Real Estate scam and used low income Housing the HUD to pull it off? worth watching again
jp on October 10, 2008 at 2:40 PM
McCain needs to ask Obama if he will replace Patrick Fitzgerald to protect the Chicago machine that raised him politically.
WashJeff on October 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
What the….
Mommypundit on October 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Raaacist!
Against Italians AND Messiahs.
misterpeasea on October 10, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Yeah, I remember that one. Didn’t Tony hook up with a “community organizer” to get it rolling?
And the best part was after they took all the money, they went back in the middle of the night and stripped all the copper pipes and wiring, leaving worthless houses!
JamesLee on October 10, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Unless Rezko blurts out that Obama was on the take an specifically names him as a co-conspirator, this story is a non-event. Even then, the Drive-Bys would squelch it.
Nothing to see here, folks. Move along….
ManlyRash on October 10, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Yes
No.
Yes they will. Any more questions?
ManlyRash on October 10, 2008 at 2:48 PM
McCain has to confront Obama with ALL these ties face-to-face at the next debate!
stonemeister on October 10, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Yep, if I remember correctly they got a dig in at Bush in it and tried to blame that on him. The black “Community Organizer” who worked with them on the scam claimed that all money to re-develop the hood was gone because of a Repub. Administration, etc. So he had no choice or something.
AND, I beleive this episode got a Mafia group up north busted because they were doing the EXACT Same thing in Connecticut? and the Feds realized it after watching that episode. Chase was getting story line ideas from actual Mob guys I beleive.
This is actually an episode worth watching again right now.
jp on October 10, 2008 at 2:48 PM
I think at the end of the episode Tony gives a toast to the “Federal Govt” for once, it was funny.
jp on October 10, 2008 at 2:50 PM
It’s capisce.
Where does this rabbit hole end?
DrSteve on October 10, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Too late.
Should have been doing this 6 months ago.
If it amounts to anything, can it be used for Impeachment?
cntrlfrk on October 10, 2008 at 2:51 PM
say it to his face!
SDarchitect on October 10, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Dear Leader Obamassiah is going to need a bigger bus to throw all these people under.
rbj on October 10, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Hypocrisy is indignant, “experience” version.
With apologies to Entelechy.
DrSteve on October 10, 2008 at 2:52 PM
I wouldn’t count on it. Not by election day anyway.
Headlines all over America on November 5th:
President Obama found to have ties to Rezko, Ayres, Wright, Muslim fanatics, ACORN and lied about it all. Buying airtime on all networks tonight to address nation.
BacaDog on October 10, 2008 at 2:53 PM
too little too late to affect the election, but Obama could soon find himself in heavy seas AFTER the media pass propels him into the WH…just like they did to Clinton in 1992, only to see him thrash around like a fish on a hook once he got into office.
If Obama wins and is suddenly neck deep in a mafia-corruption-Southside politics case, things could get ugly real fast for him. The press will have much to explain, as they do now but not enuff people care or know about it.
Mike D. on October 10, 2008 at 2:53 PM
scene from that episode explaining the HUD Scam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfcgwxPH7Rc
comment section:
jp on October 10, 2008 at 2:54 PM
So, Biden is just one conviction away from the Presidency?
Dusty on October 10, 2008 at 2:55 PM
It’s pretty obvious the Clinton’s really aren’t helping out The Obama.
These guys would be takin’ dirt naps somewhere.
cntrlfrk on October 10, 2008 at 2:55 PM
I’ll believe it when I see some indictments.
This could be a bogus leak intended make Rezko feel threatened by his old associates. Such a ploy might work - or might not.
DamnCat on October 10, 2008 at 2:56 PM
With congress 60%+ Democratic, no matter how much hot water Obama gets into, nothing will come of it.
If Nixon had been a Democrat, Watergate never would have made it off the back pages of the papers.
MarkTheGreat on October 10, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Sing Birdie! Sing! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! Sing to your hearts content. Breaking News this statement from Obama’s campaign “Tony Rezko is a racist, plus we never really knew him.” sarc off
USMCDevilDog on October 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Either he’s the most unlucky politician in the world having these “friends, acquaintances, neighbors” or he really thinks that we are all the dumbest bunch of morons that have ever walked upright.
tru2tx on October 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM
The only way any of this could hurt Obama at this late date or any date is audio or video of him taking bribes or some such.
Obama’s defense will be, and it will work, who are you going to listen to a convicted felon or the black messiah?
Case closed.
patrick neid on October 10, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Probably under George Soros’ house!
Oink on October 10, 2008 at 2:59 PM
We need desperately to implement some kind of standards for voting. It’s simply absurd that the vote of a homeless drug addict college kid right out of high school is equal to mine. Of course as long as there is a Dem majority or even a substantial Dem minority they will never support sane voting regulation and safeguards.
DerKrieger on October 10, 2008 at 3:01 PM
But half the population are dumb morons.
Oink on October 10, 2008 at 3:02 PM
SING, TONY, SING!
pilamaye on October 10, 2008 at 3:02 PM
should have been “…homeless drug addict OR college kid right out of high school…”
DerKrieger on October 10, 2008 at 3:02 PM
And who that half is depends on which half you ask.
DerKrieger on October 10, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Apparently 49% of us are.
BacaDog on October 10, 2008 at 3:04 PM
President Obama’s pardon power will cause all the little birdies to stop singing because they will not have to be afraid and all the Republican prosecutors will be replaced with Democrats and any Democrat Federal prosecutor that does his real job will get fired with no complaint from a compliant Congress. That’s just reality guys.
KW64 on October 10, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Excellent. Keep up that tune, jailbird.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 10, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Yep, me too.
tru2tx on October 10, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Giannoulias faces loan question
June 16, 2006
BY STEVE PATTERSON Staff Reporter
Banker Alexi Giannoulias — the Democratic nominee for state treasurer — is accused of approving a $1 million loan to an 86-year-old mentally incompetent woman whose “business partners” have been suspected of fraud in the past.
Article Link
Kokonut on October 10, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Awesome ad! Gave me some hope about the campaign.
obladioblada on October 10, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Once again, I’d like to point out that half the population has below-average intelligence.
Pretty much by definition.
mojo on October 10, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Take the cannolis.
Oldnuke on October 10, 2008 at 3:25 PM
President Joe Biden (that’s after the impeachment)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 10, 2008 at 3:27 PM
absolutely the best video score to date as “Life imitates Art”…
very cool find…
patrick neid on October 10, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Too bad Obama will be President before Fitzgerald brings any indictments.
To Fitzgerald’s credit, his operation is not prone to sieve-like leak behavior.
danking70 on October 10, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Fitzgerald a Clinton appointee?
This could be how Bubba is taking out Obama for us?
jp on October 10, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Nothing will come of it.
If anything significant does come out before the election the press will say it is all a set up by McCain and the Republicans to wrongly smear Obama. The word “Racist” and “McCain” will be included in every headline.
Plus Rezko is a felon, who should believe him?
If Obama is elected then during his last days as President all will be given pardons that need one. Rezko will meet an unfortunate, but mysterious, end.
albill on October 10, 2008 at 3:35 PM
O.M.G. “video no longer available” (Sopranos)
“Truth Squad” got to ‘em ??
Crimeny.
pambi on October 10, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Obama shaking his finger during his impeachment hearing.
“I did not have corruption with that man.”
Keith Olbermann on MSNBC that night.
“See, I told you. Rezko is the worst person in the world to even say Obama is corrupt.
BobK on October 10, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Wait.. it finally came up, sorry.
Y’know, methinks it’s possible that McCain’s actually faced with SO MANY rabbits to chase, it’s really tough to choose where to head first !
pambi on October 10, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I’ve come to the conclusion that this just isn’t in McCain. I don’t think directly attacking another person politically is something he can do. His bi-partisan efforts bear this out. Maybe it’s the nature of a pilot as opposed to an infantry fighter. Maybe it’s the years as a POW. But he truly does not seem angry over ACORN, press being in the tank so strongly for Obama, the savaging of Palin by the press, Obama calling him a liar at every turn. None of these seem to have struck a nerve. The only conclusion is that what we are seeking is just not in his character…. and as I write this, I’m honestly trying to determine if that is a bad thing or a good thing.
CC
CapedConservative on October 10, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Speaking of out of the blue.
What does Rezko know about the $300K reduction in the asking price for the home that Obama purchased from his seller? Did the seller get a visit from Luca Brasi III, who gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse? Was a horse’s head involved?
In the alternative, did the reduction in the asking price to Obama actually come from another source so that the seller could avoid some capital-gain taxes that might have applied to gain exceeding his available exclusion ($500K, if married; $250K, if single)?
Sing, Tony, sing.
BuckeyeSam on October 10, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Don’t forget, leave the gun.
BuckeyeSam on October 10, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Wasn’t Gianoulias scheduled to speak at the Democratic Convention over Rangel? Anyone remember that story?
danking70 on October 10, 2008 at 3:45 PM
McCain really needs to pint the finger at Obama on Wed nite and tell him that the American people really need to know the answers for all this
ConservativePartyNow on October 10, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Given everything native Arizonans have told me of McCain’s so-called “Legendary Temper”, and how we’ve seen absolutely NOTHING of it this ENTIRE campaign… I think SOMEONE has him on Ritalin or something.
STOP DOPING HIM, WE NEED ANGRY MCCAIN!!!
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 10, 2008 at 3:49 PM
I don’t completely trust this. Rezko’s more sure path to Freedom is a President Barack Obama pardon. Unless he thinks he can negotiate something less than 8 years from Patrick Fitzgerald?
A President Obama at end of term 1 could not do a pardon as it would kill him in a re-election bid but he could quite easily pull a Clintonesque “pardon everyone” on his last day in 2017. Are any campaign people trying to get to Rezko to make those promises?
mngirl on October 10, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Could be what inspired Biden to get on the ticket in the first place.
He never could become President otherwise!
Marybeth on October 10, 2008 at 3:52 PM
You’ve got to be f’ing Kidding me? and because I was posting it here probably? I found it earlier by just googling after thinking about that episode.
jp on October 10, 2008 at 4:01 PM
“This isn’t the mafioso I thought I knew,” -Hussein.
Akzed on October 10, 2008 at 4:17 PM
That’s a great ad but it is 90 sec. No one will ever see it.
petunia on October 10, 2008 at 4:25 PM
But let’s wait until Barry is in the White House! Wouldn’t want to affect the election would we? Cause we’re Republicans and we play fair.
hestrold on October 10, 2008 at 4:42 PM
LOL! Good one!
If Obama does lose this, and I pray to the dear Lord he does, then how many of us are going to be on the watch for the next Obama? Soros and the gang are not going to quit. Unless of course the Clintons take the DNC back, and even then they would keep him around because of the money. But every election the Democrats keep giving us a farther Left candidate than the previous election cycle. We must be ever so vigilant so that the next time we have a stronger candidate from our own party, and we fight these Obama types before they come to power. If the world in a smaller place and we are all interconnected, then it is also true that all politics are local. One guys community organizer and state legislator could one day be everyone’s POTUS.
freeus on October 10, 2008 at 4:49 PM
If McCain says it to his face, Obama will wet himself on national TV!
evenkeel on October 10, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Chicagoans to tell Obama’s story at convention: Giannoulias, Hynes, Madigan, Durbin, Schakowsky, Gutierrez, Jackson, Emanuel, del Valle, Balanoff, Kellman and Michelle
“Obama has been “like a mentor to me,” Giannoulias told me.”
“I want people throughout the country to know the Barack Obama I know,” said Giannoulias. Giannoulias –who won a tough primary with Obama’s endorsement — is a surrogate — stumping in half dozen states; a major fund-raiser, on Obama’s National Finance Committee, which means collecting at least $250,000 and a primary day basketball buddy.”
danking70 on October 10, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Rezko is going to end up dead if he’s singing about mob-connected Giannoulias.
Sensible Mom on October 10, 2008 at 4:53 PM
The dinosaur media will cover this story minutely as soon as they can take valuable resources off the all important expose of Piper Palin coloring outside the lines.
snaggletoothie on October 10, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Oh noes. It’s not Michael “Jaws” Giordano. It’s Michael “Jaws” Giorango.
The Giordano’s are a pizza chain family. They are good people.
gabriel sutherland on October 10, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Um- if these poll numbers are correct…
alwaysright43 on October 10, 2008 at 5:49 PM
As this story develops over the next week or so this will become the McCain campaigns next line off attack once the ACORN issue starts to run out of steam.
Dreadnought223 on October 10, 2008 at 6:23 PM
It would be worse for Obama Camp, if anything happens to Rezko. The impropriety itself is bad but not as bad as the appearance of impropriety if something happened to Rezko. It is backwards but Perception trumps Reality.
Rezko should read Maya Angelou “I know why the cage bird sings” SMILE.
Who thinks Barack Obama, has any choices of his own left, that he gets to make?
This gives me goose bumps, when I think of the implications. And I don’t scare easy.
America is going through an upheaval, and all kinds of things are going to be exposed, it doesn’t matter if it is for the best, it is going to happen. I am not a fatalist, I am a realist.
Dr Evil on October 10, 2008 at 6:42 PM
There is soooo much dirt on Obama and the MSM doesn’t care. It is just frightening that they want him in so bad that they are willing to overlook all the corruption.
I actually hope this is all lies. He is going to win and the country is in so much trouble if all this stuff about him is true.
What happened to the decency in this country? Why don’t people care about all the corruption?
petunia on October 10, 2008 at 8:19 PM
Well the funny thing is that if Obama is elected and once the media’s love affair with him wears off, when he begins tearing up the constitution, all this negative stuff about him they are studiously ignoring now to get him elected will be exactly the stuff they try to impeach him with later.
Despite their obvious left wing bias the press are a pack of jackals who will turn on you in an instant especially if you attempt to impinge on their right to criticize. Which is exactly the first thing Obama tries to do to his critics when he is under pressure.
Dreadnought223 on October 10, 2008 at 9:57 PM
I think this election turned, when The House Democrats, had their hissy fit when they didn’t get their Bail Out Bill Passed. I believe they jumped the sofa. The Democrats wanted the economy to go into a slight down turn not a meltdown (Jumped the Sofa- This one is going to bite them where they sit). The way everything is unfolding it will be the FBI that comes to rescue. This isn’t the only Investigation they have open. They have Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac investigations. The kid who hacked Palin’s email, this above. I suspect that this thing, comes to a head the week or week and 1/2 before the election. Obama is a “paper tiger” The MSM knows this too, they want ratings out of this election cycle.
I keep asking if the Clintons have made any statements.
The Clintons and FBI during the Primary season. The FBI: Mr Rico paging Mr Rico.
http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-news/2101148/posts
No one is choosing a Rookie Senator, with the king makers described above, over John McCain.
Dr Evil on October 11, 2008 at 10:41 AM
From above Link.
This thing has roots, and it is getting ready to bear fruit. I asked what the latest position the Clinton’s have taken, in regards of their support of Senator Obama. We all know that President William Jefferson Clinton, has a temper and holds a grudge:) Bless his heart. The McCain campaign was paying attention to The Democrat Primary I am sure they were paying attention to the “Tactics” and the “Strategies” being employed. That is why I always go back to that first debate, where John McCain told Barack Obama, he didn’t know the difference btw a Tactic and a Strategy.
John McCain is wide awake so is his campaign. They are making news in the news cycle right now, with McCain calling Senator Obama a decent man. Team McCain knows how to manipulate the MSM.
Dr Evil on October 11, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Any chance that someone connected with Rezko’s case might leak copies of interview transcripts to all major TV news outlets and see which one breaks omerta? Wake up, self, it’s just a nukular dream.
horatio on October 11, 2008 at 11:03 AM
I wouldn’t be surprised, and I really hope it’s true.
greekinfidel on October 11, 2008 at 1:15 PM