2008 Woodie Awards
Attorney says Tony Rezko is out of the country, will miss hearing
Issue date: 10/16/06 Section: News Briefs
- Page 1 of 1
Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a key adviser to Gov. Rod Blagojevich who was scheduled to appear in court Friday on federal charges, will miss his arraignment because he is traveling outside the country, according to Rezko's attorney.
Speaking in the federal courthouse before Rekzo's scheduled 10 a.m. CDT hearing, attorney Joseph J. Duffy said he is not sure what country Rezko is in.
When asked when Rezko would return to the United States, Duffy said "soon." Rezko, 51, of suburban Wilmette, is a businessman who helped bankroll Blagojevich's campaign. On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said Rezko took part in "a frenzied effort to collect kickbacks" from firms seeking business from the state.
At a news conference following the unsealing of two indictments, prosecutors said if Rezko failed to show up for his arraignment, he could be considered a fugitive. An arrest warrant already was issued earlier this week.
In one case, Rezko is accused of trying to squeeze a $1.5 million contribution to "a certain public official" out of a company seeking state business, according to the indictment. A person familiar with the investigation, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing, said the unnamed public official in the indictment is Blagojevich.
Rezko was charged in one of the indictments with mail fraud, wire fraud and other charges as part of the elaborate scheme to squeeze millions of dollars out of companies. A second indictment charged Rezko with swindling the General Electric Capital Corp. out of $10.5 million in loans to a pizza restaurant company.
Speaking in the federal courthouse before Rekzo's scheduled 10 a.m. CDT hearing, attorney Joseph J. Duffy said he is not sure what country Rezko is in.
When asked when Rezko would return to the United States, Duffy said "soon." Rezko, 51, of suburban Wilmette, is a businessman who helped bankroll Blagojevich's campaign. On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said Rezko took part in "a frenzied effort to collect kickbacks" from firms seeking business from the state.
At a news conference following the unsealing of two indictments, prosecutors said if Rezko failed to show up for his arraignment, he could be considered a fugitive. An arrest warrant already was issued earlier this week.
In one case, Rezko is accused of trying to squeeze a $1.5 million contribution to "a certain public official" out of a company seeking state business, according to the indictment. A person familiar with the investigation, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing, said the unnamed public official in the indictment is Blagojevich.
Rezko was charged in one of the indictments with mail fraud, wire fraud and other charges as part of the elaborate scheme to squeeze millions of dollars out of companies. A second indictment charged Rezko with swindling the General Electric Capital Corp. out of $10.5 million in loans to a pizza restaurant company.
Be the first to comment on this story