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* If you read the Chicago Tribune’s editorial or the State Journal-Register’s editorial about Bill Cellini’s trial, which starts today, you may notice something missing. The same goes for John Kass’ column. You have to go all the way to the bottom of the Associated Press story to find it. And it’s a buried, toss-away nugget in the middle of several other stories about the trial.
Here’s what was buried or omitted…
The allegations leveled against Cellini were the subject of some charges in Rezko’s 2008 trial. Rezko was acquitted of eight of the 24 counts against him, including those connected to the alleged extortion attempt against Rosenberg. Levine was the star witness against Rezko.
That SJ-R explanation doesn’t really explain that Cellini is on trial for an alleged conspiracy which Tony Rezko’s jury decided did not exist. Stu Levine, according to that jury, made up the entire conspiracy in his head.
Look, Bill Cellini is what he is. He made millions off of his state contacts, and he continues to do so to this very day. But he’s not on trial for being a wealthy insider, no matter how much some people insist he is. He’s on trial for a very specific act that was dismissed out of hand in Rezko’s trial.
* That doesn’t mean, of course, that Cellini will be acquitted.
Participating in a phony conspiracy can still get you sent to prison for a very long time. An uncle of mine, for instance, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for unloading what he thought was a plane full of cocaine. Unknown to myself and most of my family, Uncle Bruce was involved with some extremely bad people in the Outlaws motorcycle gang back in the day. Unfortunately for Bruce, he was actually unloading a government-owned plane filled with drywall paste. It was a total setup. But Bruce thought it was coke, so off he went.
What I recall about the media coverage of Uncle Bruce’s trial is pretty much the same thing I’m seeing in the Cellini coverage so far. A whole lot of hype about how bad the Outlaws were (and they were and are, indeed, the bad guys), but no mention, or only a buried mention, of what he was really being charged with.
* And WBEZ aired a story on Cellini this morning…
Bernie Schoenburg is the political columnist for the State Journal Register in Springfield, and he says Cellini has been the de facto head of the Sangamon County Republicans for a long time, but he never took the top spot; he preferred the less high-profile, though powerful job, of treasurer.
“He’s certainly not a big deal in the typical politician way because you won’t see him giving a speech In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him give a speech. He’s not the kind of person who needs that kind of adoration or attention from the public. But he’s been a big influence in the background for many years,” says Schoenburg. […]
Rich Miller is another political reporter in Springfield. He publishes a newsletter called Capitol Fax and has been observing the political scene in Springfield for a couple decades. He talks about Cellini with a sense of wonder and amazement. Miller says, “Usually somebody has, like, one idea in life, okay, that works and then every other idea they have doesn’t work, but he kept coming up with new ideas all the time and they always worked, but it was based on a common theme. Government makes certain people money, so you be one of those certain people all the time.”
Full audio…
*** UPDATE 1 *** Rezko’s sentencing is again delayed…
A federal judge in Chicago has again delayed the sentencing of convicted political fixer Tony Rezko, the onetime top adviser to and campaign fund-raiser for ousted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve agreed Monday to a request by prosecutors to delay Rezko’s sentencing — which was most recently set for Oct. 21 — until Nov. 22 so the sentencing doesn’t interfere with the trial of Springfield businessman and longtime political power broker William Cellini.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Jury selection hasn’t yet begun…
Potential jurors in William Cellini’s trial were in federal court this morning, but so far, jury selection hasn’t started in the corruption case of the Downstate power broker.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers were still in chambers with U.S. District Judge James Zagel discussing issues connected to the trial, court personnel said this morning. They’re expected in court at about 12:15 p.m.
Last week, lawyers went behind closed doors to talk about star witness Stuart Levine and how much leeway Zagel would give the defense in his questioning.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 5:08 am
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I think you need to go back and read the Fed’s filings in this case.
I haven’t seen this much glossing over for a Springfield friend since a week ago with the big raises for the Topinka and Rutherford staff which were all painted as “just 3%” when many were much higher, and all were unjustified.
Comment by just sayin' Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 7:53 am
Kass is going to love the Cellini trial. He can just recycle the same Cellini column he’s been writing for years, just top it off with a new paragraph or two.
Good work, if you can get it.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 7:57 am
“…an alleged conspiracy which Tony Rezko’s jury decided did not exist.” and “…according to that jury, made up the entire conspiracy in his head.”
The jury did not make those determinations but DID decide that the prosecution had not adequately proven the related charges, right? There is a big difference.
Comment by JustaJoe Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 8:19 am
Kass’s stuff is as original as “his” beer can chicken recipe.
Comment by MCgone Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 8:20 am
Decades of envy and resentment of Cellini and his family will bubble to the surface, and will likely impact the testimony and outcome in this case. Whereas Levine might have been dismissed as a hapless goofball that couldn’t help himself, Cellini won’t be. Webb will be able to keep the jury concentrated on the weak facts, but clearly has his job cut out for him to make Cellini appear to be a sympathetic figure. That is just as important a task in the outcome of this case. To the typical juror, Cellini may not present the personality, resume, or business history of an upright guy. If the jury determines the storyline of Celini’s career indicates unfair accumulation of wealth (even if legal), he will be in trouble.
Comment by chad Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 8:20 am
Dan Webb has his game face on today and looks ready to go. Given how Thompson laid the foundation and greased the skids for him to capitalize on all things great and small over the years, I am guessing that he is not being given the George Ryan discount either.
My prediction is a not guilty verdict; or overturning of a conviction on appeal if necessary. It end up that Zagel will let in too much irrelevant material about Cellini which could be prejudicial, that could end up getting over-turned on appeal if necessary.
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 8:42 am
Having read of proceedings before Judge Zagel, my prediction is, if there is a guilty verdict it will not be overturned on appeal.
Comment by Bigtwich Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 8:49 am
The Rezko result will have little impact on a Cellini jury.
The government has had the opportunity to see what did not work the first time. The government will rework its presentation in front of 12 new jurors.
Comment by Hi Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 9:30 am
With more and more Illinois officials filling up prison cells, you might have to use Uncle Bruce as a correspondent.
(trying to tread lightly there - slamming Illinois, not your uncle - we all have similar relatives - please take no offense - none meant)
Comment by Ghost of John Brown Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 9:36 am
I abhor this process of political influence leading to riches.
That said — Cellini apparantly knew how to stay on the right side of the law, while his alleged co-conspirators did not, in what I have read about the taped evidence. If they couldn’t get Rezko on this matter, then Cellini’s chances are good. This is reflective of the typical overreach of RICO and other conspiracy cases. We’ll see.
Comment by walkinfool Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 10:29 am
A corollary on the raises story is any tax story. It is ALWAYS framed in the most alarming language, i.e. if a temporary cut expires, it is called an increase or a new tax. And when Quinn went to bump the state income tax, pretty much every article framed it as historic, “the largest in years”, “a 100 percent increase”. etc. etc. and it was hard to her any reportage that didn’t use loaded language. No wonder tax stories get the voters all in a panic every time.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 10:35 am
===Cellini apparantly knew how to stay on the right side of the law,===
Well I suppose we’re about to finally find out which side of the law Cellini was on in this instance.
I seem to recall Cellini being upset with Kelly and Rezko because they were so ham-handed that he feared they’d bring too much attention to what had been a gentleman’s business of shaking down state contractors. To me, that’s hardly the thinking of an innocent man.
But Cellini is entitled to his day in court, and while I think he somehow put off this day for twenty years or more, that day is finally upon us.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 11:13 am
===this much glossing over for a Springfield friend===
He’s no friend. Bite me.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 11:13 am
If the Blago trial teaches us anything, it is that you don’t need to have a photograph of the bad guy wearing a striped shirt and black eye mask, holding a money bag, to be able to convict on conspiracy. They went after Cellini because the feds were convinced they could make the charges stick. They may end up wrong about that, but I think a Sam Adam defense is not going to help old Bill. This will be a more subtle case, and proving intent is going to be a huge part of it.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 11:40 am
Wow, a “bite me” before noon.
Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays
Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays
Tell me why
I don’t like Mondays
I want to shoot
The whole day down
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 12:33 pm
LOL, QTS.
The problem is when one assumes that I write something because of friendship. I hardly know Cellini. I’ve met him a few times, only really talked to him twice, both since his indictment and neither for more than a couple-three minutes.
But, yeah, it’s Monday and I’m in no mood for such goofiness.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 12:36 pm
Well he must not be the power player everyone makes him out to be if Rich doesn’t know him. From what I’ve read not the strongest case, but going to trial against the Feds is tough.
Comment by Fed up Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 1:06 pm
How could the sentencing of Tony Rezko in the court room of Judge Amy St. Eve have any influence over the trial of William Cellinin in the court room of Judge Zagel??? When Blago hit every talk show in the U.S. over the course of a year and that didn’t influence the jury pool…Rezko was convicted in June of 2008…what are they waiting for? 2012…
Comment by Bessie Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 2:38 pm
OH, I almost forgot….Tony Rezko’s partner Daniel T. Frawley’s sentencing date is November 23 in Judge Guzmans court…Frawley was wired up immediately after his arrest in February of 2006, it was rumored that it was Frawley who gave the feds the information about the moneey wired from Auchi to Rezko, getting Rezko’s bail revoked…
Comment by Bessie Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 2:42 pm
and what’s going to happen to Cellini’s long-time buddy, Big Bob Kjellander?
Comment by Publicus Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 4:39 pm
oh, the right wing drove him out of all party offices he held, which they saw as key to the great resurgence we’ve seen in our party here in Illinois.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 5:19 pm
KJ, long known for never sending an e-mail — ever — and hardly ever talking on the phone, will avoid the axe. Someone will have to directly implicate him as a bag man, and that just has not happened.
Comment by chad Monday, Oct 3, 11 @ 5:23 pm