Tony Rezko's Billionaire Buddy Is Iraqi Ex-Pat It reaches into IL governor's(and Obama's) involement

[ElsewheresDaughter]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/watchdogs/817377,CST-NWS-watchdog28.article#

Tony Rezko's billionaire buddy
Tycoon who invested nearly $170 million in 62 acres in the South Loop -- land indicted fund-raiser had been trying to develop -- has been named by prosecution

February 28, 2008

On a spring day in 2004, Nadhmi Auchi, one of the world's richest men, flew in to Midway Airport on a private jet. Met by a welcoming party that included Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn (there at the request of the Blagojevich administration) and businessman Tony Rezko, Auchi was brought to a downtown hotel where he was the guest of honor at a reception hosted by Blagojevich.

The Iraqi-born billionaire -- who lives in London -- had come to Chicago on business. He would go on to invest nearly $170 million in a prime piece of vacant land in the South Loop -- 62 acres along the Chicago River that Rezko wanted to develop.

Now, Auchi is surfacing in Rezko's corruption case, set to go to trial Monday. Auchi is mentioned by prosecutors in the court filing that got Rezko's bail revoked and landed him in jail.

Rezko was indicted in October 2006 in a scheme to shake down firms seeking state pension business to enrich himself and Blagojevich's campaign fund. He got $3.5 million from Auchi's company in April 2007 but never told a judge about it, raising concerns that Rezko, a native of Syria, might flee the country.

Auchi wasn't accused of wrongdoing regarding Rezko. But he had faced legal troubles in Europe, prosecutors noted, having been "convicted several years ago in France on fraud charges" and sentenced to 15 months in prison, "but the sentence was suspended as long as Auchi committed no new crimes."

They raised the possibility that, even though Auchi's Luxembourg-based General Mediterranean Holding has taken control of the valuable South Loop property from Rezko, Auchi might be barred from entering the United States. "In November 2005, after Auchi was unable to enter the United States, Rezko directly appealed to the State Department to permit Auchi to enter the United States and, it appears, asked certain Illinois government officials to do the same," prosecutors wrote.

So how was Auchi not allowed in the United States in November 2005 but able to come here in 2004 -- despite his criminal conviction in France in 2003?

Auchi's London-based lawyer, Alasdair Pepper, wouldn't answer that. State Department and Homeland Security officials said they couldn't comment.

But Pepper did say Auchi maintains his innocence and is appealing the conviction "through applying to the European Court of Human Rights." Also, he said by e-mail that Auchi didn't authorize "Mr. Rezko to appeal to the State Department or to contact 'Illinois government officials' to help him obtain a visa."

Prosecutors haven't said which "Illinois government officials" Rezko contacted. Rezko was a longtime fund-raiser for Blagojevich and for Sen. Barack Obama, but aides to both said Rezko never reached out to them about Auchi.

Blagojevich did pose for pictures with Auchi at the April 2004 reception. Obama, now the leading Democratic presidential contender, wasn't there.

"The senator doesn't recall ever meeting Auchi," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said.


OTHER RELATED STORIES at above LINK

New neighbor on the way for Obama Feds hit Rezko's ties to gov's office Obama, Blagojevich surface in Rezko case Decoding Rezko: Breaking down his pending trial

Now, Auchi is surfacing in Rezko's corruption case, set to go to trial Monday. Auchi is mentioned by prosecutors in the court filing that got Rezko's bail revoked and landed him in jail.

Rezko was indicted in October 2006 in a scheme to shake down firms seeking state pension business to enrich himself and Blagojevich's campaign fund. He got $3.5 million from Auchi's company in April 2007 but never told a judge about it, raising concerns that Rezko, a native of Syria, might flee the country.

Auchi wasn't accused of wrongdoing regarding Rezko. But he had faced legal troubles in Europe, prosecutors noted, having been "convicted several years ago in France on fraud charges" and sentenced to 15 months in prison, "but the sentence was suspended as long as Auchi committed no new crimes."

[Unsane]

1. Thanks, Rush.

[anonymous171]

2. lol

I think the horse is dead now. You can stop beating it.

[jlake]

3. K&R. The truth is very scary.

[mmonk]

10. Sometimes.

Like this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2856579

[griffi94]

12. i'm sorry

i didn't realize this thread was about hillary. try typing "hillary does it to" in all caps.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Iraqi?

Again with the race-baiting?

[Forkboy]

8. Nah, it's nationalism this time.

Although in the end they're usually the same thing. x(

[Forkboy]

5. 2 down.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

15. I think this might be 3.

One can only hope.

[SoFlaJet]

6. Keep trying to hurt another democrat

see where it starts? From the LOSER side FLAME BAITER

[rodeodance]

40. Remember that when you see nasties about Clinton please

[FrenchieCat]

7. You get an "A" for effort, and "F" for substance!

"HILLARY CAMPAIGN"

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. ahaha I always know when I am doing good cause you show up to take a dump

[FrenchieCat]

20. What else is there to do when one

finds the toilet, i.e., your threads? :shrug:

Also know that Hillary has yet to be vetted on her "issues"--

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2856579

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=4473288

The tax returns will tell the tale. Hopefully, we will not be forced to defend them.

[geek tragedy]

31. People take dumps in toilets.

Hence the turds present in your posts.

[FrenchieCat]

58. And I honor each as they float by!

Hey geek tragedy! :hi:

[geek tragedy]

62. Howdy!

:toast:

[blm]

9. All this concern for Chicago players and NONE for Jackson Stephens' bankrolling Clintons'

political fortunes throughout the 80s and early 90s, even though he was a key ally of Poppy Bush and helped BRING the terrorist bank BCCI into this country.

Those matters swept under the oval office rug throughout the 90s allowed Bush2 to emerge and led directly to the events of 9-11.

But you keep pretending that Rezko's donations to Obama are a danger to this nation. Go on. Feigning outrage must be like a comfortable pair of shoes by now.

[rodeodance]

30. Hey --go start your own thread if you want it to be an issue. Stay focused on OP please

[blm]

44. I am focused on the OP and Rezko using a SENSE OF PROPORTION and good CITIZENSHIP

Something more should consider applying around here as it would benefit this country and our party immensely.

[rodeodance]

50. there you go a wondering again.

[blm]

54. nope - stating a fact. This nation WOULD benefit if people cared enough about their CITIZENSHIP

to exercise their rights instead of giving them up without a fight.

It would also benefit from those looking at politics with a SENSE OF PROPORTION when considering what really matters to this country in the long run.

[griffi94]

11. wow

look at all the deniers. the trial starts monday. imo it's too late to help hillary, but it will certainly help mccain.
looks like obama is just another politician and not the messiah. good post

[saracat]

13. Getting interesting.

[madrchsod]

16. hillary`s people are the ones who are pushing this non story

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/clinton_campaign_obama_must_an.html
The Swamp: Clinton campaign: Obama must answer for Rezko


there is nothing that connects obama to this Auchi guy.if you know of anything best inform fitzgerald`s office monday morning


has obama`s people brought up hillary and bill`s shady friends?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

17. you wish it was a "non story" ...... whistling past the cemetery eh?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. Yeah.

Bill and Hillary used to know some people who may have been involved in some shady real-estate dealings.

Only now it's the Clintons who are pushing the story.

One of many of the deep ironies from this campaign.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

21. excuse me but I got this story from Chicago Sun Times not "the Clintons".....

unfortunately for you Obama supporters this story is gonna bust wide open this week.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

23. So are you saying the Clinton campaign isn't pushing the story?

Because that would be a pretty stupid thing to claim, given she brought it up in a debate. (and got her ass handed to her over it)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

24. I wouldn't know

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

27. No, of course not.

You don't seem like one of those people who pays attention.

[Freida5]

64. The home town paper is pushing the story.

[Tennessee Gal]

29. Are you actually bringing up Whitewater in a effort to support your position on Obama?

What a disgrace! Are you really a Democrat?

The Clintons are not pushing this.

Your position is the irony here.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

43. No, Eisenstein, that's not what I'm saying.

I'm saying the people who push Rezko are the same type of scum that pushed Whitewater. Hence the irony.

"The Clintons are not pushing this."

Then why did Clinton bring it up at the SC debate? Remember that one? The one where she got booed? I know you might confuse that with several others...

[Omega3]

66. if they are they have to b/c the MSM is to busy kissing his annointed ass

[ProSense]

18. Obama Memo on Clinton Not Releasing Her Tax Returns

Obama Memo on Clinton Not Releasing Her Tax Returns

To: Interested Parties

From: Obama Campaign

RE: Why Won’t Hillary Clinton Release Her Tax Returns?

DA: 2/29/08

During a recent MSNBC debate, Senator Clinton was asked if she would release her tax returns. She answered, “Well, I will do it as others have done it, upon becoming the nominee or even earlier.” But the very next day, her campaign backtracked, saying, “As is customary, as the Democratic nominee Sen. Clinton will release her tax information in April at tax time.”

But waiting until April is not customary. In the 2004 Democratic primary, Governor Dean, Rep. Kucinich, Senator Lieberman, and Senator Edwards released their tax returns in April of 2003 – a full year earlier in the primary process. Senator Kerry released his tax returns in December of 2003, and General Clark released his tax returns in January of 2004.

Senator Clinton’s refusal to make this very basic disclosure has raised a number of eyebrows among advocates for increased transparency. As her top Ohio supporter Governor Ted Strickland said in his 2006 campaign, if a candidate is not releasing his or her “tax return, what is he hiding? We should question what’s going on.”

What's Hillary hiding?

[rodeodance]

32. hey sweetie--Your mind is WONDERING. That is NOT the focus of this thread.

[ProSense]

57. The focus of the thread is a distraction. Two questions that both have the answer no

Is Obama accused of any wrong doing the Rezko case: No!

Has Hillary released her tax return: No!

[berni_mccoy]

22. The Article says Obama IS NOT Involved. How lame can the OP get?

[KLee]

25. No kidding...

geez people dream up stuff

[geek tragedy]

28. Lame as a Republican troll posting on a Democratic

board.

[rodeodance]

37. POT MEET KETTLE

[ElsewheresDaughter]

33. read........

The ruling does not identify Obama as the recipient of that contribution. But sources have identified him as the "political candidate" who prosecutors say received a $10,000 donation from Aramanda -- at Rezko's direction -- during Obama's 2004 run for the U.S. Senate.

Obama has donated that contribution to charity. Aramanda's lawyer could not be reached for comment.

In addition, Rezko allegedly directed another associate, Elie Maloof, "to donate for the same reason," St. Eve wrote.

"The evidence is admissible," she added.

As with the Aramanda contribution, Obama has donated a $10,000 contribution from Maloof -- who was out of the country and could not be reached -- to charity. The two contributions are among $157,835 in Rezko-linked donations that Obama has given away.

Rezko was once part of Obama's senatorial finance committee.

[Radical Activist]

53. There's nothing illegal about accepting the campaign contribution.

What made this a problem is Rezko using his influence with the Governor to get state government contracts. Obama had no power over that and there's no evidence of involvement.

[anonymous171]

36. OP is famous for their misleading titles.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

39. they are the Sun Times titles dear

[berni_mccoy]

63. Sun Times doesn't mention Obama. And the article CLEARS him of INVOLVMENT.

Your title is totally BOGUS. Go play on FreeRepublic.

[geek tragedy]

26. Arab-baiting and character assassination. Another Freeper

pretending to be for Clinton.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

34. get a grip

[rodeodance]

35. and another little abamakiddo who likes to play cards.

[geek tragedy]

45. Can't wait for Clinton to be forced out.

This place will be much more pleasant without you.

[rodeodance]

48. Thank you for your concern

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

46. So what's "Iraqi" got to do with anything?

Care to explain that?

[Joanne98]

38. I thought people who talked about money-laudering were conspiracy theorists?

This is small time/ Look up Barricks gold!!!!

[bunnies]

41. More desperate bullshit from camp fuckup.

shocking.

[Major Hogwash]

42. People living in glass houses and all that, ya know.

Hsu much?

[Vinca]

47. Okay . . . playing guilt by association again I see.

WHITEWATER:

1) Webster Hubbell: Bill Clinton friend and political ally; Hillary Clinton Rose Law Firm partner: embezzlement; fraud; two felony convictions (Wall Street Journal "Whither Whitewater?" October 18, 1995)

2) Jim Guy Tucker: fraud; three felony convictions (Wall Street Journal "Second-Term Stall" February 11, 1997; Associated Press "Tucker Pleads Guilty to Cable Fraud" February 20, 1998)

3) William J. Marks Sr.: Jim Guy Tucker business partner; one conspiracy conviction (Associated Press "Whitewater Defendant Pleads Guilty" August 28, 1997)

4) Jim McDougal: Bill and Hillary Clinton friend, banker, and political ally: eighteen felony convictions (Wall Street Journal "Immunize Hale" May 29, 1996)

5) Susan McDougal: Bill and Hillary Clinton friend; former wife of Jim McDougal: four felony convictions (Wall Street Journal "Immunize Hale" May 29, 1996)

6) David Hale: Bill and Hillary Clinton friend, banker, and political ally: two felony convictions of conspiracy and mail fraud (Wall Street Journal "The Arkansas Machine Strikes Back" March 19, 1996)

7) Chris Wade: Whitewater real estate broker; two felony convictions (Wall Street Journal "Hard Evidence From a Federal Investigator" August 10, 1995)

8) Stephen Smith: former Governor Clinton aide; one conviction (Wall Street Journal "Hard Evidence From a Federal Investigator" August 10, 1995)

9) Larry Kuca: Madison real estate agent; fraudulent loans (Wall Steet Journal "Hard Evidence From a Federal Investigator" August 10, 1995)

10) Robert Palmer: Madison appraiser; one conspiracy felony conviction (Wall Street Journal "Hale Predicts Hillary Conviction" October 21, 1996)

11) Neal Ainley: Perry County Bank president; embezzled bank funds for Clinton campaign; two misdemeanor convictions (Wall Street Journal "Arkansas Bank Shot" May 4, 1995)

12) John Latham: Madison Bank CEO; bank fraud conviction (Wall Street Journal "Smoke Without Fire" January 12, 1996)

13) John Haley: attorney for Jim Guy Tucker; misdemeanor guilty plea; tax fraud (Associated Press "Tucker Pleads Guilty to Cable Fraud" February 20, 1998)

14) Eugene Fitzhugh: Whitewater defendant, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of trying to bribe David Hale; is appealing a ten month prison sentence (The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, "Whitewater Defendants" February 22, 1998)

15) Charles Matthews: Whitewater defendant, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of bribery, served fourteen months of a sixteen month prison sentence (The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, "Whitewater Defendants" February 22, 1998)

[rodeodance]

49. You are really off wondering. Please stay focused on the OP

[ElsewheresDaughter]

52. hahaha but, this thread is not about Clinton

[Radical Activist]

51. I know you really, really want the investigation to involve Obama, but it doesn't.

The scandal involves state government contracts which Obama had nothing to do with. Obama is just one of a few dozen Illinois Democrats Rezko gave money to. Sorry to disappoint you.

[rodeodance]

55. you started this subthread dissing Clinton--you tried to change the subject. Enoough said.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

56. I know where you meant to post this ;)

[Freida5]

59. Trial starts Monday. Can't wait.

[Freida5]

60. K

[JerseygirlCT]

61. So we don't know which people were involved, but we're just assuming

it must have been Obama? Is that the gist of it?

[Recursion]

65. Wow, an article that outright says Obama isn't involved

I guess I should thank you

[ElsewheresDaughter]

67. "The senator doesn't recall ever meeting Auchi," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said.

"don't recall" sounds like something we all hate to hear eh?