William Cellini -- possible key to the Blagojevich investigation?

[starroute]

I just noticed Talking Points Memo asking what might have set off the Blagojevich investigation and citing a couple of suggestive items from the Chicago Tribune, including, "Oct. 30, 2008: Springfield millionaire and longtime political power broker William Cellini, who for four decades played an enormous role in Illinois' political leadership, is indicted on charges he extorted campaign contributions for Blagojevich." (http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/247944.php)

That was interesting, because Cellini's name was floating around back last spring, when people were trying to tie Obama to Rezko. On April 28, TMP had this intriguing item:

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/04/get_fitzgerald_round_two.php

Last week, prosecutors in the trial of Tony Rezko revealed that a government witness would testify that Rezko had said he was plotting to get U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald canned. His buddy and Republican bigwig Robert Kjellander was in talks with Karl Rove, the story goes.

Both Rove and Kjellander denied ever speaking of canning Fitzgerald, and the plot did seem to fall somewhat short. The alleged plotting happened back in 2004, right when Fitzgerald was in the thick of the Valerie Plame leak investigation. As I said last week, it would have been an unbelievably bold move even for Rove. Nevertheless, it does appear that Kjellander would have been looking for any opening to get rid of Fitzgerald.

And somebody in the comments added this:

Remember, Rezko is on trial here for "shaking down state pension business for millions of dollars in kickbacks and campaign contributions."

And the trial has so far told us that Rezko was somehow in charge of Blagojevich's state jobs appointments process.

I've "wondered" because Blagojevich uses "Reflectiosn Photography" whenever he's in DC. This is the same GOP-only outfit that takes every Bush, RNC and candidate snap and sells them. This is the same company that took the Abramoff photo and "erased it" as well as others of Abramoff as Josh detailed way back in 2006.

Here's another interesting graf:

(Stuart) Levine (already convicted GOP power broker, now helping the Feds from prison) told jurors he chartered a private plane so he could travel with Rezko, Springfield power broker William Cellini (Dem power broker, incarcerated) and their wives to attend a Dec. 3, 2003, Christmas reception at the White House hosted by President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. Also attending that reception was Republican Party heavyweight Robert Kjellander, whom Levine said got him his invitation.

Cellini has significant gambling connections (Argosy Gaming) -- some sites allege also Mafia, though I don't think that's ever been confirmed -- and his associate Gary Fears was tied in with the Seminole Tribe in Florida, who have dubious gambling connections of their own. (See http://www.sptimes.com/News/070101/State/Seminole_backer_s_rol.shtml)

I'm not sure what, if anything, all this adds up to -- but it was damned interesting to see Cellini's name turning up. It suggests that there could be a lot more to Fitzgerald's investigation of Blagojevich than a mere corruption case.