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Another investigation of Rezko underway

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Illinois

Man, when it rains it really pours. It’s rare to see a guy’s entire world collapse as fast as Rezko’s.

Federal authorities are investigating an Iraqi power plant deal involving Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a former top fund-raiser for Gov. Blagojevich charged with defrauding Illinois taxpayers.
Investigators want to talk to Iraq’s jailed former electricity minister, Aiham Alsammarae, about how Rezko landed the potentially lucrative contract, a source familiar with the probe told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Alsammarae, who holds dual U.S.-Iraqi citizenship and has a house in Oak Brook, helped Rezko get the deal, another source said. […]

During a Sun-Times interview in summer 2005, Rezko’s point man on the power plant, former Peoples Energy executive Michael Rumman, said Rezko used his “formidable overseas network of business relationships” to join energy consulting companies and win the contract.

Not mentioned is that Rumman was also Rod Blagojevich’s director of CMS - reportedly installed at the behest of Rezko.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 9:52 am

Comments

Rumman’s cited Part-Time Pundit’s best quote in an audit report,

Weâ€™re puzzled as to how Director Rumman could have had a discussion with the auditors at the entrance conference about unsubstantiated media allegations when, in fact, Director Rumman did not attend the entrance conference. Furthermore, no auditor in attendance could have been â€œslightly embarrassedâ€ by a point that was not made by a person who was not there.

Comment by Bill Baar Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 11:25 am
Someone needs to remind Blago that “when you lie down with dogs you may get fleas” - maybe include Mrs. B. in that wisdom also.

Comment by Funny Girl Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 11:38 am
Bill-

Thanks for pointing that quote back out to me… I get tickled every time I read it… Who says accountants don’t have a sense of humor?

Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 12:37 pm
And yet Rod knew nothing about what was going on? Oy, but he’s a schmoe.

Comment by Angie Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 2:32 pm
Let’s be fair, Rod wasn’t bright enough to know he was being interviewed for the Daily Show and being made fun of.

In his case, ignorance might actually be a defense.

Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 4:46 pm
Bill-where is Bill? He will explain this all. I’m certain of it.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 5:59 pm
Somehow, I don’t think Rezko is going to the poorhouse. He’ll manage to hang onto a nice lifetyle.

This article fills in the picture of a clever, aggressive and politically astute businessman taking advantage of Blago and Obambi and any other promising politicians.

The easily manipulated and outfoxed Blago will be using the fool (vs. knave) defense. But what will
Obambi use. Greed?

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 6:42 pm
[In his case, ignorance might actually be a defense.]

So, Rod is an airhead with really nice hair? Is that the point? lol

I can’t believe he went to Pepperdine and got a law degree if he’s that out-of-it. This is amazing.

Comment by Angie Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 8:28 pm
What’s the scoop on Cini these days? What is he up to?

Comment by Cat Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 9:44 pm
Now you know why they call them “Jackasses”

Comment by Nostradamus Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 9:53 pm
If I’m not mistaken, Michael Rumman was also formerly employed by Accenture (it was either him or Schwartz, the former director) - the recipient of about $19 million contract to oversee the consolidation of computer services. That same company was sued by the Florida Attorney General for breach of contract. In Illinois, they basically sat in on the meetings, took notes and nodded their heads in agreement with what was done - did not take the lead in the meetings or work - not too bad a paycheck for just being there…

Comment by Sahims2 Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 10:25 pm
Did Senator Obama help at all in Iraq?

Comment by Hussein Monday, Dec 4, 06 @ 10:25 pm
Whatever happened at the ICC with People’s Energy? Wasn’t Rumman the CEO when they allegedly bilked their customers out of millions of dollars and traded with Enron or am I confusing him with someone else?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Dec 5, 06 @ 6:44 am
If I’m not mistaken, Accenture is a corporate member of HRDI (Healthcare Research and Development Institute), or something like that.

Isn’t HRDI under investigation by both the Illinois and Connecticut Attorney Generals??

Everyone is tied to someone who is under investigation, and we’re supposed to believe that “business as usual” won’t do.

Comment by Angie Tuesday, Dec 5, 06 @ 7:30 am
NOTHING ! I repeat, NOTHING !
Will ever come of this…… The FIX is in!
To many HEAVY HITTERS could be implicated!

Comment by Guy Fawkes Tuesday, Dec 5, 06 @ 8:55 am
[…] Rich Miller, Another investigation of Rezko underway, The Capitol Fax Blog, December 4, 2006. […]

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