* Most of us have known this for a while, but the Sun-Times gives us an update on Lee Daniels’ situation…
Former Illinois House Speaker Lee Daniels says he no longer has to worry about a federal investigation.
“It’s dead. It’s behind me,'’ says Daniels. “The statute of limitations has expired. It’s yesterday’s news. The bottom line is: I have not done anything wrong. I didn’t do anything improper.'’
Daniels’ former chief of staff, Michael Tristano, spent nearly a year in prison after admitting that, between 1998 and 2001, he used state money to help get Republican legislators elected. Tristano said he did so at the direction of Daniels and others.
Daniels is now selling real estate and gets a pension of just over $100,000 a year.
* We went through most of this yesterday afternoon, so here is just a basic Rezko roundup…
* Former chairman testifies Rezko pressured him
* Beck testifies on Rezko’s sway with board
* State official says he took orders from Rezko
* Rezko gavel-to-gavel: A matter of clout
* Chairman testifies that he took ‘marching orders’ from Rezko
* Tony Rezko Update
* Get your scorecard
* Other phone calls
* Health Facilities Planning Board
* Rezko roundup
* You can listen to audio files of a few of the federal wiretaps by clicking here.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 10:32 am:
The Beck testimony was damning, but it they don’t have Rezko on tape….
- Ghost - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 10:32 am:
Instead of renmaing Wrigley field, we can tunr it into an open air prison for Illinois corrupt Govenors(s) and associates. Sell tickets for spectators to stop by and watch the show as we move closer and closer to the dubious honor of having back to back governors indicted and convcited.
- Ghost - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 10:35 am:
Wordslinger, with the testimony from Beck, they dont need Rezko on tape. The whole defense of this was a legitimate project and Rezko was just acting like everyone else, and Levine is the only source and he cant be trusted just flew out the window. Its hard to claim your just like everyone else after Becks concrete testimony that the board followed the commands of Rezko and made a decision that drew gasps from the crowd it was so unprecedented.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 10:40 am:
Interesting quote from Daniels…”the statute of limitations has expired”…then he says he didn’t do anything wrong.
Thou dost protest too much…
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 10:46 am:
Ghost, I think for the prosecution it would be stronger to have Rezko on tape telling them what to do then having Beck and Levine, on tape and in court, relating what Rezko allegedly told them to do.
- Ghost - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 10:54 am:
Word, stronger, sure, but what so far nothing is making Beck to look weak. You have lots of circumstantial evidience, or pieces, from mnay sources, that fit together very well. They have lots of little peices that are very consitent with Rezko being guilty without the need to catch him on tape. The version of events painted by the defense in opening statements does not match the peices put into play so far in the trial.
The defense painted themselves into the corner with their opening interpretation of events which is not bearing out as the case unfolds.
- Sock Puppet Express - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 12:01 pm:
Lee muse be espcially proud that the clock has run
Most believe his “tips” on George and Stu Levine helped too.
- A Citizen - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 12:58 pm:
Tristano told the truth and spent almost a year in prison - Daniels was allowed to ride out the clock and now picks up a hundred grand a year, every year. And the feds call that justice. The feds need to take a remedial course in justice!
- Downstate weed chewing hick - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 1:43 pm:
The Planning Board is currently set to sunset in August. Will this dirty laundry kill it?
- Sock Puppet Express - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 1:44 pm:
SPE hears many of the boys Lee mentored were out on the town in SPI….a “victory” party of sorts?
- Shelbyville - Thursday, Mar 13, 08 @ 3:26 pm:
Daniels always did have the luck.
He played a huge part in taking Ryan’s retirement away.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 14, 08 @ 8:42 am:
The Northern Illinois office of the feds is not known for letting people skate. If they had something to hit Daniels with, they would have nailed him.