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http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/6/26/91423.shtml?s=po
Obama's Rezko Link Could Smear Hillary
A Chicago lawyer linked to the public corruption scandal involving Barack
Obama's controversial political patron planned to co-host a fundraiser
Monday for Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Myron Cherry, a longtime Democratic fundraiser, appeared in a federal
indictment against Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who faces extortion and fraud
charges related to an Illinois public pension fund.
The federal indictment against Rezko alleges that in late 2003, he agreed to
help get $25 million in state pension business for a firm that would pay a
finder's fee to a business associate. But because of that associate's tie to
Rezko, they agreed to disclose as the fee's recipient another, unidentified
businessman, who allegedly did no work on the deal.
That was Cherry, according to a person familiar with the investigation who
spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing. The deal did
not go through.
Cherry is not charged with any crime and is cooperating with investigators.
He has publicly denied doing anything wrong. His connection to Rezko could
be problematic for Clinton, as her chief rival, Obama, has been dogged
throughout his presidential campaign by questions about his relationship
with Rezko.
Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer declined to comment.
David Donnelly, a spokesman for Public Campaign, which advocates public
financing of political campaigns, said the pace of fundraising made it
almost impossible to identify every donor with professional connections that
could be potentially embarrassing to the candidate.
"I don't think there is any screen that could weed out questionable money
and run a competitive race for president," Donnelly said. "The entire
campaign finance system puts candidates in a compromising situation in city
after city."
A real estate developer and prodigious fundraiser for Democrats, Rezko has
contributed thousands of dollars to Obama's campaigns throughout his
political career and raised thousands more. Their relationship came under
scrutiny after Rezko was indicted on federal charges last October.
Rezko's legal problems have been a source of embarrassment for Obama, who
has tried to convince voters he is a different kind of politician - one not
prone to scandals involving shady donors. The Obama campaign has donated
about $37,000 in Rezko-related money to charity, and a spokesman said Obama
hasn't been in contact with his former supporter for some time.
Cherry has contributed more than $87,000 to Democratic candidates since
2003, including Clinton's Senate re-election campaign in New York. Active in
Jewish causes, he was named to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council by
President Clinton in 2001.
Cherry also has done legal work for International Profit Associates, a
management consulting company whose executives have made contributions to
Clinton's two Senate races. The firm now faces a federal sexual harassment
suit filed by more than 100 female former employees, and the Illinois
attorney general is looking into allegations that the firm engaged in
deceptive marketing practices.
Several elected officials have returned contributions from IPA executives.
Clinton has kept the donations, estimated to be nearly $130,000.
Obama's Rezko Link Could Smear Hillary
A Chicago lawyer linked to the public corruption scandal involving Barack
Obama's controversial political patron planned to co-host a fundraiser
Monday for Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Myron Cherry, a longtime Democratic fundraiser, appeared in a federal
indictment against Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who faces extortion and fraud
charges related to an Illinois public pension fund.
The federal indictment against Rezko alleges that in late 2003, he agreed to
help get $25 million in state pension business for a firm that would pay a
finder's fee to a business associate. But because of that associate's tie to
Rezko, they agreed to disclose as the fee's recipient another, unidentified
businessman, who allegedly did no work on the deal.
That was Cherry, according to a person familiar with the investigation who
spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing. The deal did
not go through.
Cherry is not charged with any crime and is cooperating with investigators.
He has publicly denied doing anything wrong. His connection to Rezko could
be problematic for Clinton, as her chief rival, Obama, has been dogged
throughout his presidential campaign by questions about his relationship
with Rezko.
Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer declined to comment.
David Donnelly, a spokesman for Public Campaign, which advocates public
financing of political campaigns, said the pace of fundraising made it
almost impossible to identify every donor with professional connections that
could be potentially embarrassing to the candidate.
"I don't think there is any screen that could weed out questionable money
and run a competitive race for president," Donnelly said. "The entire
campaign finance system puts candidates in a compromising situation in city
after city."
A real estate developer and prodigious fundraiser for Democrats, Rezko has
contributed thousands of dollars to Obama's campaigns throughout his
political career and raised thousands more. Their relationship came under
scrutiny after Rezko was indicted on federal charges last October.
Rezko's legal problems have been a source of embarrassment for Obama, who
has tried to convince voters he is a different kind of politician - one not
prone to scandals involving shady donors. The Obama campaign has donated
about $37,000 in Rezko-related money to charity, and a spokesman said Obama
hasn't been in contact with his former supporter for some time.
Cherry has contributed more than $87,000 to Democratic candidates since
2003, including Clinton's Senate re-election campaign in New York. Active in
Jewish causes, he was named to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council by
President Clinton in 2001.
Cherry also has done legal work for International Profit Associates, a
management consulting company whose executives have made contributions to
Clinton's two Senate races. The firm now faces a federal sexual harassment
suit filed by more than 100 female former employees, and the Illinois
attorney general is looking into allegations that the firm engaged in
deceptive marketing practices.
Several elected officials have returned contributions from IPA executives.
Clinton has kept the donations, estimated to be nearly $130,000.
