Tony Rezko's upcoming trial on fraud charges is sure to be sensational, with a veritable who's who of Illinois politicians listed in the indictment, including a sitting governor and a presidential candidate. Key to the prosecution is the government's star witness, Stuart Levine, whom Rezko's defense team has been trying to discredit as a drug user. Those allegations just got, um, sexier yesterday afternoon.
Fed's Star Witness is a Party Animal?
Dealings Looking Even More Shady Between Blago, Rezko
From U.S. District Court Judge Amy St. Eve's recent ruling in the Rezko case....
Judge IDs Blagojevich as "Public Official A"
To the shock of absolutely no one, Governor Blagojevich was officially identified as Public Official A today in the documents pertaining to Tony Rezko's prosecution.
Rezko 101: The Indictment
It seems like everybody in town knows Tony Rezko's name. And why not? Besides being under federal indictment, he's a big player in Illinois politics. He's also gotten some national attention, with Former Gov. Jim Edgar musing that Rezko isn't really Obama's problem, and a photo of him with former President Bill Clinton surfacing on the Today show.
A Tale of Two Convicted Felons
Now that Conrad Black has been convicted of mail fraud and obstruction of justice the real fun begins. With prosecutors asking that Black's $21 million bond be revoked, fearing the Lord of Crossharbour to be a flight risk, Black has voluntarily turned in his passport while he awaits sentencing from Judge Amy St. Eve on November 30th. Now the search for his money begins.
Conrad Black Guilty of Mail Fraud!! Canadians Split on Decision, Sun Times Newsroom Celebration Subdued
Looks like Judge Amy St. Eve's advice worked. The jury on the Conrad Black trial found the former controlling shareholder of the Sun-Times guilty of three counts of mail fraud and one count of obstruction of justice this morning. Although Black was acquitted of the more serious racketeering charge, as well as charges of tax and wire fraud, this won't sit well for a man who once compared his sense of self-entitled largess to that...
Conrad Black Jury to Judge: "Our Brains Hurt Thinking About This"
It's a picture-perfect summer day: mild, sunny, a medium breeze from the west. We're going to enjoy being out today. The same can't be said for the jury deliberating the Conrad Black trial. They're deadlocked and went so far as to ask Judge Amy St. Eve for advisement yesterday.
Black Watch: Any Excuse to Say Doodie
Prosecutors and defense attorneys settled on a jury in the Conrad Black trial on Friday, and the real fun begins today with opening statements. Despite the Tribune's best efforts, Judge Amy St. Eve won't release the names of the 12 jurors and eight alternates, a move usually reserved for trials involving organized crime or terrorism. She is expected to let two of the alternates go today after making sure none of the other jurors suddenly developed an allergy to ridiculously rich media barons over the weekend.

