
| Governor Rod Blagojevich | |
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Antoin "Tony" Rezko |
Chris Fusco and Tim Novak, "Tony Rezko's Billionaire Buddy," Chicago Sun-Times, 2/28/08
Romesh Ratnesar, "Cronyism In Iraq?" Time, 11/17/03
Brian Ross, "Obama ‘Backer’ Rezko Ordered To Jail," ABC News’ "The Blotter" Blog, 1/28/08
Nadhmi Auchi Is An Iraqi Billionaire With Business And Personal Ties To Convicted Obama Fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko. ("Who's Who In The Antoin 'Tony' Rezko Trial," The Associated Press, 6/4/08)
Auchi Reportedly Built His Fortune Partly "Through Arms Deals With The Iraqi Regime In The 1980s." (Romesh Ratnesar, "Cronyism In Iraq?" Time, 11/17/03)
"Auchi -- Who Lives In London -- Had Been Convicted Of Fraud In France In 2003." (Natasha Korecki, Chris Fusco and Tim Novak, "Obama’s Name In Rezko Trial," Chicago Sun-Times, 4/15/08)
Auchi Was Also One Of The Largest Shareholders In A French Bank Involved In The UN’s Oil-For-Food Program For Iraq. (Alby Gallun and Greg Hinz, "Rezko Sells Loop Project For $131 Million," Crain’s Chicago Business, 9/29/05)
Rezko "Asked Certain Illinois Government Officials" To Help Auchi Obtain A Visa To Visit The U.S. After He Had Previously Been Turned Down By The State Department. (Brian Ross, "Obama ‘Backer’ Rezko Ordered To Jail," ABC News’ "The Blotter" Blog, www.abcnews.com, 1/28/08)
According To Rezko Trial Testimony, Obama Attended A Reception For Nadhmi Auchi At The Home Of Tony Rezko April 3, 2004. (Natasha Korecki, "Obama Bomb Droped," Chicago Sun-Times’ "Eye On Rezko" Blog, blogs.suntimes.com, 4/14/08)
Obama Might Have Also Attended A Rezko Party Where Auchi Was The Guest Of Honor At The Chicago Four Seasons Hotel. (Mike Robinson, "Mysterious London-Based Billionaire In The Background At Political Fundraiser Tony Rezko's Trial," The Associated Press, 4/14/08)
In Response To Rezko Trial Testimony, An Obama Spokesman Said That Obama "Does Not Recall Meeting Nadhmi Auchi At Any Time Or On Any Occasion." (Natasha Korecki, Chris Fusco and Tim Novak, "Obama’s Name In Rezko Trial," Chicago Sun-Times, 4/15/08)
Obama: "I have no specific recollection. [Auchi and Alsammarae] may have been there. I can't say unequivocally that I did not meet them, but I just don't recall." (Sen. Barack Obama, Interview With The Chicago Sun-Times, www.suntimes.com, 3/15/08)