* Tony Rezko’s defense attorney Joe Duffy has been able to show time and time again today that Stu Levine’s memory is shot to heck…
Later, Levine would admit that it was “possible” years of drug use may have affected his memory.
When Duffy asked if Levine had yet told the jury he was a felon, Levine said the jury had been told that, but didn’t remember whether he had testified to it or if it had been read from his plea agreement.
Had Levine been shown his plea agreement on the stand, Duffy asked.
Yes, said Levine. It had been marked as an exhibit and shown to him.
Duffy asked the government to produce it.
“Your honor, we’ll stipulate that there is no such exhibit,” said assistant U.S. attorney Chris Niewoehner, rising to his feet.
* And then there was Levine’s truthfulness…
“Would you like to change your answer?”
“Yes sir.”
Those phrases became the exchange of the day Thursday between attorney Joseph Duffy and the government’s star witness in the Antoin Rezko trial, Stuart Levine.
* The memory and honesty points are extremely important because of stuff like this…
Levine had testified earlier that [he and Rezko] were introduced at a dinner party on Nov. 2, 2002, just days before the election that brought Gov. Rod Blagojevich to power. It was at that dinner that Levine testified he learned that Rezko had been blocking a real estate deal on which Levine had been seeking a sizeable kickback.
But Duffy produced a Levine credit card receipt showing a $761.87 transaction dated that day at a Lincolnwood hotel where Levine often went for all-day drug binges.
“I do not have a memory of being there on that date,” Levine insisted.
Duffy then asked Levine, “Can you honestly tell this jury you didn’t do drugs on Nov. 2, 2002?”
LEVINE: “Yes, sir.”
DUFFY: “Your memory is so clear you remember not using drugs on that day?”
LEVINE: “I do not remember using drugs on that day.”
The feds do have some tapes, of course, but most of those tapes include Levine talking about what Rezko said. Terrible memory, lack of truthfulness goes right to the heart of Levine’s crediblity as the feds’ star witness.
*** UPDATE *** More trouble for Levine’s credibility…
Levine confessed he had used bogus fees to swindle the estate of millionaire businessman Ted Tannenbaum, his mother’s first cousin who had been close to Levine and taken him under his wing. […]
“And yet the man who had been so good to you for 20 years - you stole from his children, didn’t you?” Duffy said.
“Yes, sir,” Levine said meekly. […]
“If I describe you as a liar, is that a correct statement?” [Duffy] asked.
“Yes, Sir,” Levine said.
“So I would be correct if I called you a thief?” Duffy asked.
“Yes, Sir,” Levine said.
“Can you argue with me - you are a con man, are you not?” Duffy asked.
“Yes, Sir,” Levine said.
Oy.
22 Comments
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Ozinga takes a page from Oberweis’ playbook
Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning
* Ozinga Bros. launched its first radio advertisements on WLS-AM to air through June. The ads promote a more environmentally friendly, porous concrete and mention the Ozinga name 8 times. Coincidentally, Marty Ozinga is also gearing up to run for the 11th District congressional seat.
The DCC questioned whether Ozinga was blurring federal election rules about electioneering. Candidates can be fined by the Federal Election Commission for overlapping and coordinating their business and campaign operations, like this blast from the past:
For example, Jim Oberweis, of Oberweis Dairy, ran television advertisements about the dairy - bankrolled by the dairy - that featured him prominently at a time he was seeking the GOP U.S. Senate nomination. The FEC fined his campaign $21,000.
The Democrats’ regional director, Ryan Rudominer said “Here you have Mr. Ozinga taking a page from the Oberweis playbook. The perception is that it’s like a campaign ad.”
* Although the timing of the Ozinga radio ad is “ironic,” the Ozinga campaign said that this is the first time the company has purchased radio advertising. Interesting.
“Go green with Ozinga,” the ad says, along with, “The next time you see the red-and-white striped trucks, remember Ozinga, your resource for a better tomorrow.” However, the ad never explicitly mentions Marty Ozinga, just the company.
Then there was this overly zealous defense by WLS for the ad:
It was the phone call from WLS general manager John Gallagher, who defended the ads, requested I send along the DCCC statement and generally went to bat for Ozinga, one of his advertisers.
“If the DCCC is raising an issue on it, and we’ve had run-ins over the years, I’d like to know the grounds they are making that claim and get attorneys involved,” he told me. “If the DCCC is going to come after them for that, they’d have to go after half the people running for office in the United States, no matter when the contract was signed.”
Question: Does this tightrope walking constitute a violation of FEC regulations, or is this fair game?
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Question of the day - Baseball edition
Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Moises Alou takes it back…
Any holdovers still blaming Steve Bartman should let the infamous Cubs fan off the hook, Moises Alou says.
The former Cubs left fielder, now with the Mets, said he wouldn’t have caught the now-infamous foul ball in the 2003 National League Championship Series that hit the heel of Bartman’s hand in the eighth inning of Game 6, prolonging an inning in which the Marlins later rallied for the lead.
“Everywhere I play, even now, people still yell, ‘Bartman! Bartman!’ I feel really bad,” Alou told the Associated Press. “You know what the funny thing is?” he added. “I wouldn’t have caught it anyway.”
* Mariotti reacts…
I’ve always maintained that Alou’s angry reaction to Bartman’s wretchedly ill-timed reach for the ball triggered the tragicomedy. If he simply had trotted back to his position in left field, the familiar air of dread wouldn’t have seeped into Wrigley Field with the Cubs a mere five outs from their first World Series since 1945. Maybe Gonzalez would have started an inning-ending double play instead of botching a groundball. Maybe Prior would have settled down and completed the mission instead of becoming unnerved, as he has suggested.
* And adds…
Monday at Wrigley, as his new statue was unveiled in a revamped plaza by the Clark Street entrance, Ernie Banks made a wonderful comment. He said it’s time to bring Bartman back to the ballpark and let him throw out a first pitch.
* The question: Are Cub fans big enough to follow Ernie Banks’ lead? Or are they so emotionally tied to being perennial losers that they’ll never forgive Bartman?
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Ethics investigation demanded
Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Roll Call demanded an ethics investigation of Jerry Hurckes, the Chicago-based chief of staff for Congressman Dan Lipinski yesterday…
The case of Hurckes seems to involve no question marks at all — and deserves an investigation by the ethics committee. Ethics rules do not bar aides from holding elective office but warn that “staff should take care … to avoid any undertaking that is inconsistent with congressional responsibilities”
And, “in dealing with the public, staff who serve as local officials should always make clear in which capacity they are acting. They should discourage any suggestion that their local constituents will receive any special treatment from the congressional office, beyond that received by any other residents of the congressional district.”
Yet, in a 2007 mailer sent to local voters, Hurckes took credit for securing $4 million in federal funding for the village, including money for the Oak Lawn Children’s Museum and emergency traffic lighting. […]
Hurckes denied securing earmarks and Lipinski refused any comment after stories on the aide’s activities appeared in Roll Call and local papers. They ought to answer to the ethics committee.
Agreed.
[Background here]
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There are no guarantees in this world
Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Southern Illinoisan editorializes that some newly proposed fees at Department of Natural Resources facilities aren’t a bad idea…
Even with the proposed increases, according to the department’s own documents, state facilities would remain a good bargain compared to facilities in neighboring Midwest states.
The state’s fiscal picture continues to be bleak, and it would be unfair to allow basic increases in power and maintenance costs to be shouldered by all taxpayers, including non-users of our scenic sites.
* The Southern adds…
We’ve seen special funds that are levied for specific purposes raided by this administration in the past to cover general state funding needs. That practice should not occur with this new money that will help keep our splendid sites in the best shape possible.
* And that’s the problem. There will be no rock solid guarantees with this crew in charge…
Senate committees controlled by Democrats approved bills that expand health-care programs by $43 million for the budget year that ends June 30 and add back $53 million in House Democrat pet projects that Gov. Rod Blagojevich cut from the budget last fall.
To pay for it all, Blagojevich would be given authority to take $530 million out of hundreds of state accounts that are set aside to pay for certain programs and are not funded with general tax dollars — for example, regulatory funds set up to collect licensing fees from certain professions. […]
Although the health-care expansions would cost $53 million through June 30, Republican lawmakers said it will add $300 million to next year’s budget.
It never ends.
17 Comments
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The “Big Guy” knew?
Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Yesterday’s Tony Rezko trial wasn’t great for Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Rezko and Stu Levine were allegedly trying to shake down Tom Rosenberg for a big contribution to the governor’s campaign or a large finder’s fee. Rosenberg then flipped out and threatened to go to the authorities when he became convinced that his investment allocation deal at the Teachers Retirement System was being held up for nefarious purposes…
Chicago businessman Tom Rosenberg became furious after a $220 million allocation from the state teachers pension fund for his investment firm had stalled, millionaire attorney Stuart P. Levine told the court.
Rosenberg threatened to complain to federal investigators that he suspected Rezko and another Blagojevich fundraiser, Christopher Kelly, were engaged in corruption at the state teachers pension board. […]
“[Rezko] indicated to me that he had made the governor aware of the situation” and what Rosenberg had said, Levine said. He said Rezko indicated that Blagojevich agreed Rosenberg should be calmed and that while he should get the $220 million allocation for his investment firm it would be “the last thing that Mr. Rosenberg should get from the state.”
He quoted Rezko as saying Blagojevich indicated “he doesn’t care what happens to Mr. Rosenberg - that he feels he owes Mr. Rosenberg nothing.”
* And we don’t have to rely solely on admitted drug-lover Stu Levine for this one, either…
Political insider William Cellini also spoke to Rezko about the Rosenberg solution and, in a phone conversation with Levine that was secretly recorded by federal agents, reported hearing the same thing from Rezko about Blagojevich’s knowledge and approval.
“Did he tell you, too, that the big guy said Rosenberg means nothing to him?” Cellini asked on the call played in court Wednesday. Levine explained to jurors that “the big guy” was Blagojevich and that Cellini’s comments meant that the governor did not feel that he owed the uncooperative Rosenberg anything.
* If you read carefully, there is no explicit statement that the governor knew about the alleged shakedown, which Rezko’s lawyers have claimed that Levine concocted himself. Reading only what was actually said, Blagojevich only allegedly knew that Rosenberg was freaking out and making threats. But it’s definitely implied that he knew more, which is why the Sun-Times put the story on the front page with this lede…
Despite Gov. Blagojevich’s repeated denials that he knew anything about alleged pay-to-play schemes, “the big guy” was told about one plan to squeeze campaign contributions from a firm seeking state business, according to bombshell testimony Wednesday at Tony Rezko’s corruption trial.
* Meanwhile…
A measure allowing voters to dump the governor and other statewide officeholders through California-style recall petitions advanced Wednesday in a key test vote in the House, though its approval is far from certain.
Proponents said the bill was prompted by their dissatisfaction with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who has been criticized by Republicans and his fellow Democrats for what they say is his autocratic and aloof style of governance. But they argued the measure also is good public policy already embraced by 18 other states, including California, which replaced an unpopular governor with action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003.
“I would not have filed it but for the dismal performance of this governor,” said Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), the bill’s sponsor. “Our state is dysfunctional. . . . We are stuck at an absolute impasse because the governor refuses to lead and refuses, frankly, to show up for work. He won’t govern, and he can’t govern.”
The House adopted an amendment to the bill on an 80-25 vote, which Franks said indicates it likely will be approved by a wide margin when he tries to send it to the Senate next week. The favorable reception in the House also underscores Blagojevich’s running feud with Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), who voted for the amendment.
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A veritable font of information
Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Deputy Gov. Louanner Peters “testified” yesterday to a House committee about a million dollar grant to fire-ravaged Pilgrim Baptist Church which instead wound up at a school that doesn’t seem to exist. I put quotes around “testified” because Peters wasn’t exactly forthcoming…
[A]t least 59 times in the roughly 90-minute hearing, Peters professed ignorance toward what Blagojevich has called a “bureaucratic mistake.”
“I would not have any idea who in the governor’s office would have the most answers,” Peters told members of the House State Government Administration Committee.
* The governor blamed a couple of former staffers for the grant, but wouldn’t name them. Neither did Deputy Gov. Peters…
Peters refused to name the two state officials the governor blamed for giving the church’s grant to the school.
“I don’t understand why you can’t answer,” Franks said.
“I don’t have an answer, sir,” Peters said.
* More…
Peters said it would be “inappropriate for me to comment on the circumstances surrounding the grant” because of an ongoing review of the matter by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which administered the grant.
* So, when will that review be completed?
Peters couldn’t say how long DCEO’s review would take.
* She gave the same treatment to reporters…
Peters did not answer questions after the hearing. “Walk fast,” a Blagojevich spokeswoman told her as reporters followed her down the Capitol hall.
Supreme arrogance.
27 Comments
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Morning shorts
Thursday, Apr 3, 2008 - Posted by Kevin Fanning
* Candidate’s appearance at event in question
* Peraica tactic includes HDO ‘demonization’
* ACE Mentoring Program - Chicago Works Segment
* Beer spill shuts I-55 ramp for more than 7 hours
About 4 a.m., a truck carrying 1,440 cases of Beck’s beer toppled, spilling much of its load and shutting the northbound ramp near Burr Ridge for more than seven hours, Illinois State Police said. Beer, glass and cardboard littered the ramp after the driver, Clinton E. Maxey, 27, of Mt. Vernon, Ill., took the turn too fast, state police said.
* Suit alleges AT&T Illinois employees not paid for all hours
* Silly?
Even if Jay Stone didn’t deserve any payment, there are still another 1,423 recipients whose right to compensation goes unquestioned.
* Ceasefire, Chicago
* State’s plan to buy Wrigley lands it on endangered list
* Race card back in museum debate
* Senate committee advances measure clarifying smoking ban penalties
* House Approves Rep. Hamos Plan to Spend $2 Million on Infant Hearing Program
* Lawmakers: Can you follow the money?
* Lawmakers propose crosswalk cell phone ban
“Put me in jail,” said Decker, 45, of Chicago. “I’m not paying for talking on a phone. . . . It’s a God-given freedom that I have. What law is there that says I can’t talk on the street? It’s no different than if I’m walking with a friend and talking.”
* Verbal fireworks part of Capitol recall debate
* Lawmakers concerned by DNR fee hikes
Illinois’ public lands “are worthy and deserving of public investment with public tax dollars, as they have been for decades,” said Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria. “To simply take those away and suggest they become self-sufficient through user fees is really selling those natural resources short.”
* Survey: Fla. Teens Believe Drinking Bleach Will Prevent HIV
* AIDS, lies and how the Illinois Supreme Court might rule
* New organ donation commercial revealed
* Republican foe rips Durbin while launching challenge
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