Posted on 06/17/2008 8:54:57 PM PDT by Libloather
Obama fundraiser attracts criticism from GOP, raises questions on ethics
By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 06/17/08 06:42 PM [ET]
An event Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) headlined last week has prompted head-scratching among Illinois ethics experts and drawn sharp rebuke from Republicans because one of the main organizers participated in Antoin “Tony” Rezko’s old fundraising network.
John W. Rogers Jr., the chairman of Ariel Investments who gave $22,500 in contributions to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) through Rezko, hosted a top-dollar special reception with Obama Thursday to raise money for the Democratic White House Victory Fund.
Rogers has also pledged to raise over $200,000 for Obama’s campaign. He was one of many political players whose name surfaced during Rezko’s recent trial. A federal jury convicted the Chicago political fixer of mail and wire fraud, aiding and abetting bribery and money laundering.
Rogers gave contributions of $10,000, $7,500 and $5,000 to Blagojevich through Rezko, according to a chart of contributions the Department of Justice (DoJ) presented as part of its case.
In an interview on Tuesday, Rogers said he never had a one-on-one meeting with Rezko and did not know why his name appeared on the Rezko donation chart compiled by the DoJ.
“I have no relationship with Tony Rezko,” he said. Rogers, who describes himself as a big Democratic supporter, said he had often “run into” Rezko at political and public events but added: “I’ve never been to his office, I’ve never been to his home, I’ve never talked to him about my business.”
Nevertheless, Rogers’s link to Rezko in federal evidence poses problems for Obama.
Kent Redfield, an ethics expert and political science professor at the University of Illinois, said Obama is taking a political risk by letting Rogers play a prominent role...
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
It’s the Chicago Way...
"This isn't the John W. Rogers, Jr. that I knew....."
Does anyone really believe that matters to the Rats?
Zactly. Obambi is so vulnerable on this. Illinois is the dirtiest political state in the union, and "Mr. Clean" never did one thing to fight the corruption, he just waddled along for 10 years and asked no questions, pretending (?) to be stupid.
So the question in the fall will emerge in the minds of voters: "Is he THAT stupid, ---or is he THAT corrupt?"
Did we expect ethics, honesty or morals from a far left radical lib? That would be ** CHANGE ** (LMFAO!)
It’s the Chicago Way...
::::::
Lucky Luciano for Vice President!!!
Boy, you are right on.
Ever lived in Louisiana? :)
Eagle, Lucky isn't running this year but he will be voting! I understand he'll be casting all of his ballots for B. Hussein..
The Chicago Way.
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