CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge canceled convicted fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's sentencing date Wednesday and one of his lawyers said he is working with federal prosecutors in hopes of getting a break for his client.
The decision to postpone the Oct. 28 sentencing barely stopped short of confirmation that Rezko is spilling his secrets to federal prosecutors. Speculation that Rezko is telling what he knows about Illinois political corruption has swept through Chicago's federal courthouse for weeks.
"We are trying to work toward an agreement that would affect sentencing," defense attorney Bill Ziegelmueller told reporters after the two-minute hearing before federal Judge Amy J. St. Eve. "But obviously no agreement is in place."
Rezko was a major political fundraiser who bankrolled campaigns of both Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Sen. Barack Obama. But he did not supply any money to Obama's current campaign and the Democratic candidate for president has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Looks to be quite a troubling development for the Obama campaign. If some of the things alleged in the past are true and he starts singing this election may be over.
