Hastert Comes Up In Rezko Trial

By Margaret Lyons in News on Apr 28, 2008 9:55PM

The Tony Rezko trial continues today, and the hits just keep on coming. Today's boldface name? Dennis Hastert, whom a witness said would help replace US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who was investigating Rezko.

[Prosecution witness and] restaurant owner Elie Maloof quoted Rezko as saying the new U.S. attorney in Chicago, whom Rezko said would be chosen by Hastert, would then kill a federal investigation into corruption under Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Obviously, this plan didn't go through.

US attorneys are appointed by the president, but typically are picked by senior senators, though according to AP story, "it would not be unusual to allow a senior congressman to suggest a candidate for U.S. attorney if there were no senator of the president's party from the state."

The case is gaining national attention, especially after last week, when the prosecution said a witness would testify about Karl Rove's involvement in attempting to get Fitzgerald fired. [AP, Newsweek]