[Rhodes22-list] USAttorneygate; the chickens come home to roost
Bill Effros
bill at effros.com
Thu Oct 2 18:06:02 EDT 2008
Brad,
No time to research it all right now, but I think you've got a couple of
things confused.
I don't think Rezko actually lived across the street.
I don't think anyone knows when or if Obama closed on the house. I
believe it was deposited into an Illinois Land Trust, and was not then
in either Obama or Rezko's name.
I believe both properties were a single property at the time of the
closing with the previous owners.
I believe Mrs. Rezko solely obtained a $500,000 loan on $600,000 worth
of raw land with no street access at a time when her income was $37,000
a year, and her husband had declared bankruptcy. Just getting a loan
for raw land and putting down less than most of the money would be a trick.
I don't think Rezko had been indicted at the time Obama claims to have
involved him in this deal. In fact, Obama now takes the position "That
was a mistake because at that point there was already a cloud over Tony
Rezko."
So my problem is this: There is currently a cloud over Obama. Isn't he
making the same mistake twice?
Not according to Obama:
"I've been very open about what I have called a bone-headed move. On the
other hand, there have been no allegations that I did anything wrong.
There have been no allegations that I in any way betrayed the public
trust. There have been no allegations that I did him favors."
Well...that's not true at all. It's not even borderline true. There
are substantial allegations made by the same prosecutor who convicted
Rezko, and Rezko has stated that the prosecutor is seeking testimony
against Obama.
But you couldn't know about that if you lived anywhere but Chicago where
it has been front page news.
Amazing.
Bill Effros
Brad Haslett wrote:
> Bill,
>
> Obama knew on the day of his closing on he and Michelle's house that
> Rezko was under indictment and Mrs. Rezko had already testified that
> their net worth was $37,000 (the Rezko's lived across the street but
> perhaps the Obama's weren't aware of their financial and legal
> problems). Where did the $300,000 come from for the adjacent property
> and how did Michelle's "garden" so neatly fit the EXACT footprint of
> the driveway that the previous owner put on the adjacent property?
>
> Never mind. It's just a Chicago thing.
>
> Brad
>
> On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 3:41 PM, Bill Effros <bill at effros.com> wrote:
>
>> Ben,
>>
>> The fact that you haven't heard of it is central to the complaints about
>> Main Stream Media.
>>
>> Would Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, John McCain, Joe Biden, or anyone
>> else still be seriously considered for President of the United States if
>> they were actively under investigation for bribery, corruption,
>> extortion and fraud?
>>
>> I did not say Fitzgerald is speaking out of school. In fact, he is
>> speaking in school -- in documents submitted to the court with the names
>> of others under investigation obscured: "a politician" "high government
>> official" etc.
>>
>> The Governor of Illinois was also named in the same manner as Obama. I
>> think he was referred to as "a high government official" or something
>> like that to avoid prejudicing the jury because he was an unnamed
>> "co-schemer". He publicly stated the documents did not refer to him.
>> Fitzpatrick called a news conference to say Blagojevich was, indeed, the
>> "high government official" -- and that Blagojevich KNEW he was the high
>> government official -- and that if he ever said he wasn't the high
>> government official, again, the government would charge him with aiding
>> the scheme by denying his participation in it; in addition to anything
>> else it might choose to charge him with.
>>
>> I can find no record of Obama or any official spokesperson ever denying
>> that Obama was also under investigation, and, subsequent to the trial,
>> Governor Blagojevich's name and Senator Obama's name replaced the
>> pseudonyms. Obama has refused to discuss the matter with reporters or
>> anyone other than his attorneys. Again, this would seem newsworthy, but
>> MSM has chosen, for the most part, not to report that Obama
>> categorically won't discuss the fact that he is under federal
>> investigation, leaving anonymous people to tell us what we think we
>> know. Or don't know. Or can't know.
>>
>> The first Rezko trial concerned, in part, crimes that happened prior to
>> 2004. People convicted of bribery testified that Rezko extorted money,
>> some of which wound up in Obama's pocket, as payment for Illinois State
>> jobs, and for Illinois State contracts controlled by Commissions
>> overseen by Obama as a State Senator. Rezko was the bagman. Obama got
>> it done. That money was not returned -- Obama spent it a long time ago.
>>
>> My source is Fitzgerald, and government witnesses under oath in Federal
>> Courtrooms who have already testified against Rezko and who have agreed
>> to testify against Obama. Several of them were wearing a wire, had
>> their phones tapped, and were under continual FBI surveillance,
>> unbeknownst to Obama.
>>
>> Rezko's attorneys tried to impeach the witnesses, but never put anyone
>> on the stand to refute any part of the testimony presented. Fitzgerald
>> made it clear he would press perjury charges if Rezko or witnesses
>> presented by the defense claimed something had not happened that the
>> government successfully could prove had, in fact, happened. Never mind
>> that Rezko did not appear in his own defense, no one else appeared,
>> either. Rezko presented no defense -- except for Obama, way in the
>> background, stating that he had known Rezko for many years and was sure
>> Rezko was not guilty of any crime.
>>
>> So how did Obama know what money to return? He was still proclaiming
>> his opinion that Rezko had committed no crime.
>>
>> Ask yourself this question: "How could Obama return ill-gotten gains if
>> he didn't know they were ill-gotten?" The only way he could have known
>> they were ill-gotten is if he were part of the scheme. Expect
>> Fitzpatrick to make this argument.
>>
>> Bill Effros
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Benjamin Cittadino wrote:
>>
>>> Bill;
>>>
>>> If Fitzgerald is talking about an ongoing investigation of Obama I sure
>>> haven't heard about it. Federal proaecutors are not supposed to talk about
>>> such pending investigations and there are serious ethical considerations at
>>> stake if they do so. I think your sources ate speculating about what
>>> Fitzgerald is doing. As for beneficiaries of ill gotten gains being guilty
>>> of anything they have to know the they are benefiting from illegal money.
>>> Lots of politicians have returned money later shown to have been from
>>> improper sources.
>>>
>>> I have a lot of respect for Fitzgerald and find it hard to believe he would
>>> jeopardize both successful prosecution of a matter or his career by speaking
>>> out of school. I will check it out though.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Ben C.
>>>
>>> Bill Effros wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Ben,
>>>>
>>>> Can you tell me where I can find Obama stating that Patrick Fitzgerald
>>>> will not be asked to resign?
>>>>
>>>> Mr. Rezko complained to his trial judge that Mr. Fitzgerald was
>>>> pressuring him to implicate Mr. Obama. The judge released the letter
>>>> after the trial. Mr. Obama is also named as a recipient of money
>>>> extorted on his behalf by Mr. Rezko in the indictment of Mr. Rezko. In
>>>> a proffer Mr. Fitzgerald stated that anyone who benefits from Mr.
>>>> Rezko's crimes was as guilty as the person who was convicted, and this
>>>> has been the theme of the prosecution, going from one defendant to the
>>>> next.
>>>>
>>>> People who says Mr. Fitzgerald is not investigating Mr. Obama don't know
>>>> what they are talking about--Mr. Fitzgerald has been quite plain about
>>>> the fact that he IS investigating Mr. Obama. The FBI has released both
>>>> photographs and tapes implicating Obama in the Rezko "schemes". Mr.
>>>> Fitzgerald sought and obtained permission to involve Mr. Obama in the
>>>> Rezko trial, but didn't need to do so because Mr. Rezko chose not to
>>>> defend himself on these matters.
>>>>
>>>> Several other witness who have pled guilty and been convicted of these
>>>> crimes have stated that Mr. Obama is involved, and that they are
>>>> prepared to testify against him. Obama's name came out on numerous
>>>> occasions during the trial, and most of the guilty parties had direct
>>>> illegal dealings with Mr. Obama, and are prepared to so testify.
>>>>
>>>> Most of this information has been reported in Main Stream Media, and the
>>>> rest is available on Mr. Fitzgerald's Web Site. Follow the links to
>>>> "Operation Board Games".
>>>>
>>>> Mr. Rezko appealed to Karl Rove to have Mr. Fitzpatrick fired. Rezko
>>>> was so sure he would succeed, he told other witnesses to lie to the FBI
>>>> to cover his and Mr. Obama's involvement.
>>>>
>>>> Talk about chickens coming home to roost!
>>>>
>>>> Bill Effros
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Bill & Rob & Ed;
>>>>>
>>>>> Sen Obama has already said several times, in response to questions from
>>>>> various reporters that Patrick Fitzgerald's job is safe. I must say here
>>>>> that I has been my understanding that the targets of Mr Fitzgeralds
>>>>> inquiries have been Mr Rezko, and people other than Obama himself. He's
>>>>> very
>>>>> discreet, any anybody who says they are sure he's looking at Obama (or
>>>>> not)
>>>>> doesn't know what they're talking about.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bill's concern is well founded though. I was in law school when Nixon
>>>>> fired
>>>>> AG Richardson, then Dep AG Ruckelshaus for not firing Special Prosecutor
>>>>> Cox
>>>>> (Robert Bork ultimately did it). In response Nixon gave the famous "I am
>>>>> not a crook" speech, and the move to impeachment became unstoppable.
>>>>>
>>>>> As to Ed's point, I've said it as many different ways as I know how. If
>>>>> Monica Goodling made hiring decisions at DOJ for non-political jobs based
>>>>> upon political affiliation or perceived political loyalty she broke the
>>>>> law.
>>>>> THAT'S WHY SHE RESIGNED IN DISGRACE. Remember?
>>>>>
>>>>> And if the 9 US Attorney's were fired FOR ILLEGAL REASONS like not
>>>>> bringing
>>>>> trumped up charges against politcal opponents of a particular US Senator,
>>>>> then that's illegal and that's why AG Mukasey had no choice but to
>>>>> appoint a
>>>>> special prosecutor. He's done it, because not to do it would be an
>>>>> obvious
>>>>> malfeasence; but he has given the Special Prosecutor an impossible 60 day
>>>>> deadline to produce a report. He's done the right thing with one hand
>>>>> but
>>>>> ensured failure with the other hand. That's why we need a clean sweep, a
>>>>> new AG, and Truth, Justice and the American Way for all. Thank
>>>>> you....thank
>>>>> you very much ladies and gentlemen.
>>>>>
>>>>> Best,
>>>>>
>>>>> Ben C.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bill Effros wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Rob,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> US Attorneys serve the President. They can replace them if they choose
>>>>>> to do so. But that was not the issue in this thread.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The issue here is "Chickens come home to roost" regarding the
>>>>>> replacement of US Attorneys.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So I ask again,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is it OK for Obama to request the resignation of a well respected US
>>>>>> Attorney who is currently investigating Obama?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What are the perceived rules in this instance?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Bill Effros
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Lowe, Rob wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Isn't it "traditional" (OK, not the right word) for all the US
>>>>>>> attorneys
>>>>>>> to submit their resignations at the beginning of a president's new
>>>>>>> term?
>>>>>>> Or is it just a new president taking office? Regardless, why wouldn't
>>>>>>> Fitzgerald submit his resignation along with the rest of the US
>>>>>>> attorneys?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
>>>>>>> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Bill Effros
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 9:15 AM
>>>>>>> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] USAttorneygate; the chickens come home to
>>>>>>> roost
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Ben,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> How do you think Obama will handle Federal Prosecutor Patrick
>>>>>>> Fitzgerald
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> (also on the Bush "to be fired" list -- special prosecutor in the
>>>>>>> Valerie Plame CIA leak case) who is currently investigating Barack
>>>>>>> Obama?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Do you think it is is OK for Obama to fire Fitzgerald?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Bill Effros
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Benjamin Cittadino wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Brad & Anybody still paying attention;
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The link to a NYTimes editorial explains in precise detail how the
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> firings
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> by the Bush administration of a number of federal prosecutors is a
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> serious
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> matter that cried out for the appointment of a special prosecutor.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Note the
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> desciption of the firings being unrelated to and not he result of any
>>>>>>>> performance reviews. This issue goes to the very heart of federal law
>>>>>>>> enforcement, and, in my opinion, compels a change to an Obama
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> administration
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> which will ensure the inquiry survives after January.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/opinion/01wed1.html?hp
>>>>>>>> http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/opinion/01wed1.html?hp
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Cheers!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Ben C.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>
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