Posted on 11/01/2008 12:35:05 AM PDT by smokingfrog
William Cellini, a power broker and fundraiser for nearly 40 years, has become the 13th person charged in the pay-to-play probe
William Cellini has spent four decades as Illinois' ultimate insider, cozying up to Republicans and Democrats alike as he wielded power and influence while trying to stay out of the spotlight.
But the spotlight found Cellini on Thursday when a federal grand jury indicted the millionaire Springfield businessman and pulled him into the center of the ongoing probe of corruption in the administration of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
The indictment charging Cellini with extorting a Hollywood producer to make a Blagojevich campaign donation is just the latest step in a three-year federal investigation that is picking up speed. In recent weeks, federal authorities have subpoenaed fundraising records related to Cellini and a lobbyist friend of the governor's. They are also seeking the cooperation of convicted influence peddler Antoin "Tony" Rezko.
Despite his proximity to the center of Illinois' culture of pay-to-play politics, Cellini, 73, a longtime Republican, was never accused of wrongdoing until he forged ties to Blagojevich, the first Democratic governor in a quarter century.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Read, listen to wiretapped conversations between Antoin "Tony" Rezko and William Cellini discussing an alleged plot to shake down Thomas Rosenberg, who is a Hollywood producer and Chicago investment manager. The tapes were played during Rezko's corruption trial earlier this year.
Can someone post the link (I can not find it) that gives the state by state, who’s donating to - EACH PERSONS NAME, AMOUNT AND JOB WEB SITE. I would like to see if William Cellini’s name is on it and who he has donated to and what amount. Thank you in advance!
This gives Obama and the Chicago machine yet one more reason to take desperate measures to ensure victory on Tuesday.
What’s interesting to ponder (especially for PUMA folks) is that if Obama wins, in four years Hillary would run again, and Obama would have to destroy her.
If Obama loses, the Clintons would try to stage a takeover of the Dem party and purge Obama and the ACORNs.
A couple of interesting articles that I found when looking for stuff on Cellini
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/03/obama-—rezko-.html
http://progressillinois.com/2008/10/30/cellini-indicted
I think you got it covered.
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