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J. Michael Sharman
Published: September 15, 2008
Cari, Rezko, and Auchi. These three names should be raised at every one of Barack Obama’s campaign stops.
When Joe Biden first ran for president in 1988, Joseph Cari Jr. was his Midwest field director. 1 Since then, Cari served as finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee and chairman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. 2
Over the years, Cari donated thousands of dollars to Biden’s campaigns, and when Biden started his most recent run in the Democratic presidential primary, Cari planned a Chicago fundraiser for him. 3
On the day of the fundraiser, July 25, 2005, Cari was named in a federal corruption probe of the Illinois Teachers Retirement System. Biden told the press: “All I know is Joe Cari is a friend, and he’s an honorable guy, but I don’t know anything beyond that.” 4
In September, 2005, Cari agreed to plead guilty to one count of attempted extortion, and to testify against Antoin Rezko. Cari admitted he was part of an $850,000 kickback in Rezko’s political “fundraising operation.” 5
The Syrian-born Rezko owned 11 low-income housing projects in Obama’s Illinois State Senate district. 7 Because of the testimony of Cari and others, Rezko was convicted of 16 felony corruption charges.8
Biden has acknowledged knowing Rezko for the past 30 years, reports the Washington Times.9
Obama has known Rezko since at least his Harvard Law School days when Rezko offered him a job, which he declined, 11 but the law firm Obama did go to work for, and Obama himself, represented Rezko’s company, Rezmar Corp., says the Chicago Sun-Times. 12
Rezko had worked on Obama’s 2004 U.S. Senate race 13 and specifically on Obama’s campaign finance committee, says the Sun-Times. 14
When Obama announced his U.S. Senate run, Rezko held a “lavish fundraiser June 27, 2003, at his Wilmette mansion,” says the Sun-Times. 15 The direct contributions from Rezko’s family, employees, and associates totaled $150,000. 16 Obama told the Chicago Tribune that altogether Rezko raised $250,000 for him — not including his run for the presidency. 17
At least one of Rezko’s $10,000 campaign contribution’s to Obama came directly from a $250,000 kickback, the London TimesOnLine reported. 18
In June 2005, Obama and Rezko’s wife, Rita Rezko, bought adjoining real estate parcels. Obama admits he toured the mansion with Tony Rezko before he bought it, says the Wall Street Journal. 19
Obama paid $1.65 million for the residence, and Rezko’s wife (who testified she earned only $35,000 per year) paid $625,000 for the vacant lot next door. Obama’s purchase price was $300,000 under the asking price; Rezko’s wife paid full price. 20
The month before the Obama-Rezko purchase, the Chicago NBC affiliate had already aired the story that Rezko was the subject of a grand jury corruption investigation 21, which may account for The New York Times report that, “Mr. Obama has since called the transactions ‘boneheaded.’” 22
The Sun-Times also reported that in 2005, after Rezko paid a $1.5 million bribe to the Iraqi Electricity Minister, his company was awarded a $50 million contract to train security officers at Iraqi power stations. 23
At Rezko’s trial, the government’s star witness, Stuart Levine, testified that Barack and Michelle Obama attended a party in April 2004 at Rezko’s home to honor the London-based Iraqi billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi. 24
Auchi had just been convicted in 2003 of corruption in France, and given a $3 million fine and a 15-month suspended sentence. A Pentagon inspector general report in 2004 cited “significant and credible evidence” of his involvement in weapons smuggling for Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi Oil for Food scandal. Auchi denies those charges. 25
The Wall Street Journal reports that three weeks before Obama and Rita Rezko bought their adjoining properties, Nadhmi Auchi loaned Tony Rezko, who was broke at the time, $3.5 million dollars. 26
Cari, Rezko, and Auchi. Those three names should determine the fate of Obama’s campaign.
J. Michael Sharman is an independent columnist who practices law in Culpeper. His column appears Tuesdays in the Star-Exponent.
1 “Biden Has Deep Ties to Rezko Accomplice JOSEPH CARI: 30-year Friend of VP Pick Guilty in Kickback Scheme” http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/1124666,CST-NWS-rezko25.article
August 25, 2008
2 “Biden Has Deep Ties to Rezko Accomplice JOSEPH CARI: 30-year Friend of VP Pick Guilty in Kickback Scheme” http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/1124666,CST-NWS-rezko25.article
August 25, 2008
3 “Witness links Blagojevich White House hopes to pay-to-play: Blagojevich had big plans, witness says” April 15, 2008 http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/04/witness-links-b.html
4 “Biden Has Deep Ties to Rezko Accomplice JOSEPH CARI: 30-year Friend of VP Pick Guilty in Kickback Scheme” http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/1124666,CST-NWS-rezko25.article
August 25, 2008
5 “Biden Tied to Rezko Fraud Figure: Vice-Presidential Candidate’s Former Campaign Advisor and Fundraiser Aided Kickback Scheme” August 25, 2008
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/MoneyTrail/story?id=5649093&page=1
6 Court filed Indictment for Tony Rezko, et al http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2007/pr1213_03a.pdf
ALI ATA, ABDELHAMID CHAIB, also known as “Al Chaib”
7 “8 things you need to know about Obama and Rezko”, Chicago Sun Times, January 24, 2008
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/757340,CST-NWS-watchdog24.stng
8 “Biden Has Deep Ties to Rezko Accomplice JOSEPH CARI: 30-year Friend of VP Pick Guilty in Kickback Scheme” http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/1124666,CST-NWS-rezko25.article
August 25, 2008
9 Antoin “Tony” Rezko, one of Sen. Barack Obama’s first major donors, was convicted in June on charges of seeking kickbacks.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/28/longtime-biden-backer-linked-to-rezko/
Washington Times, August 28, 2008
10 “Tony Rezko’s Billionaire Buddy” Chicago, Sun-Times, February 28, 2008
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/817377,CST-NWS-watchdog28.stng
11 “Obama named in Rezko’s opening statement”, UPI March 7, 2008
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/03/07/obama_named_in_rezkos_opening_statement/6101/
12 “8 things you need to know about Obama and Rezko”, Chicago Sun Times, January 24, 2008
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/757340,CST-NWS-watchdog24.stng
13 “Obama Papers Confirm Rezko Tie” UPI March 23, 2008 http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/03/23/Obama_papers_confirm_Rezko_tie/UPI-48461206314303/
14 “8 things you need to know about Obama and Rezko”, Chicago Sun Times, January 24, 2008
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/757340,CST-NWS-watchdog24.stng
15 “8 things you need to know about Obama and Rezko”, Chicago Sun Times, January 24, 2008
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/757340,CST-NWS-watchdog24.stng
16 http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Apr14/0,4670,FundraiserTrial,00.html
“Witness: Obama Attended Rezko Party”, Monday, April 14, 2008
17 http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/03/15/Obama_answers_questions_about_Rezko/UPI-39531205580321/
18 “Mansion ‘mistake’ piles the pressure on Barack Obama” February 26, 2008 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3433485.ece
19 FUND,JOHN “Obama and Chicago Mores” Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120450564143806509.html
20 “8 things you need to know about Obama and Rezko”, Chicago Sun Times, January 24, 2008
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko/757340,CST-NWS-watchdog24.stng
21 “Blagojevich: My ‘Testicular Virility’ Led To Family Feud; Gov. Blames Grand Jury Investigation On Feud” May 16, 2005 http://www.nbc5.com/politics/4495263/detail.html
22 “Ex-Obama Fund-Raiser Is Convicted of Fraud” The New York Times, June 5, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/us/politics/05rezko.html?partner=BREITBART&ei=512
23 “Rezko linked to $1.5B Iraq power bribe”
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:CzP_ka8I4Z4J:www.upi.com/Energy_Resources/2008/03/05/Rezko_linked_to_15B_Iraq_power_bribe/UPI-67781204756098/+%22Rezko+linked+to+%241.5B+Iraq+power+bribe%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
24 http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Apr14/0,4670,FundraiserTrial,00.html “Witness: Obama Attended Rezko Party” Monday, April 14, 2008
25 FUND, JOHN “Obama and Chicago Mores” Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120450564143806509.html
26 FUND, JOHN “Obama and Chicago Mores” Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2008
http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120450564143806509.html
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Posted by ( OrdinaryWoman ) on September 19, 2008 at 11:17 am
“Ciudadano” One of the myths reported out there is that Bush lied. Intentionally, to kill thousands. If nothing else, put it to the common sense test. Why would he do such a thing? Mr. Bush made mistakes, like every President, both in war and domestically. When all the hate and opinions are washed away, and the final chapters written in history, you won’t find Bush that bad of a President.
As for campaign ads and so forth…I don’t like them either. But, like we all should do, lets put them all through the cleaners, and try to vote for the best we can. We are not given the best choices, that’s for sure. I’m just not sure these people throwing ads together, nor the candidates really care to take the time to see and hear what they are saying. Obama and Biden have been saying some mean and misleading things too. So we all just have to vote for the ones who are the lesser evil. For me, that is McCain and Palin. At least they are not hypocrites. Biden wants us all to be willing to just hand him more tax dollars, when he’s proven he can’t spend them right. He wants us to be charitable, when he makes hundreds of thousands of dollars, but can only give $400 to $500 a year. My mother on SS gives over $100 a month to charity!! Obama’s no better, he’s only given to charity about 1-3% until this past year and a half when he started running for office. People put their money where their heart is.
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Posted by ( OrdinaryWoman ) on September 19, 2008 at 11:05 am
El Debibble, Did you see Mr. Sharman in court asking that question? I’ve seen him in action, and never have I seen a hint of this type of questioning. He is a man of integrity, because he is a man that took care of his family.
“wonderbread” until recently, I too saw Mr. Will as the type of writer you described to me. Mr. Sharman is giving facts too, as well as his opinion, like Mr. Will. I haven’t seen as much facts from Mr. Will lately, as I’ve seen opinion.
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Posted by ( El Debibble ) on September 17, 2008 at 6:14 am
Ordinarymom, I am sure you would be thrilled to see Sharman in court when he will ask a working Mom why she doesn’t quit her job to stay home with the kids even though the Dad is the one who filed for divorce, and is in court trying to reduce his child support. He is a man typical of what causes many of the problems that society has.
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Posted by ( wonderbread ) on September 16, 2008 at 8:53 pm
“Ordinarywoman” - perhaps when I read George F. Will- a noted conservative, who happens to be a columnist - I can expect a wide range of insight on a variety of topics. As wikipedia states, “He won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for “distinguished commentary on a variety of topics” in 1977. Often combining factual reporting with conservative commentary, Will’s columns are known for their erudite vocabulary, allusions to political philosophers, and frequent references to baseball.“
In other words, from his conservative point of view, he expounds on a variety of topics. And he has been praised - at times - by both the LIBERAL and the CONSERVATIVE sides. He states his opinion; but does not poo-poo, discount, demonize, belittle (etc.) the “OtHeR side…“
I read Sharman every week too, but I don’t look forward to it with such glee as you do. I look upon it as more ... one of those accidents that you wish you didn’t slow down for, but you just can’t help yourself.
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Posted by ( Ciudadano ) on September 16, 2008 at 7:48 pm
OrdinryWoman writes “I personally believe that Mr. Sharman is a man of honestly and integrity, and fully examines what he believes in and it comes forth in his writings.“
I agree with you 100%, at least Mr. Sharman is doing his job and not running for office. In the other hand how can you vote with any conviction for Senator McCain when most of his adds are lies and most of Governor Palin pre-can speech are lies? How do we know that pair wont lie from the WH as the Bush admin has done? Even Karl Rove said his adds do not pass the truth test. Why this is not an issue? Can any tell me?
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Posted by ( OrdinaryWoman ) on September 16, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Good homework! Actually fellow comment makers, Mr. Sharman is not a “reporter” who has to present both sides, so you might as well stop keeping score, (unless you have nothing else to do of course). He is a “columnist” who has been give space to write his thoughts and opinions. Of which, I look forward to every week.
Like most of what each of us choose to do, or vote for, it really boils down to what your basic beliefs are. You may say you “don’t vote according to one religious” beliefs. But you are voting that way, it’s just a matter of what you believe in vs. what another believes in. You don’t have to have a denominational tag or church to attend to have your own beliefs.
I personally believe that Mr. Sharman is a man of honestly and integrity, and fully examines what he believes in and it comes forth in his writings.
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Posted by ( rjma ) on September 16, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I’m not going to check all the 20 sources you provide to back up your story but I’ll check one.
You write:
Over the years, Cari donated thousands of dollars to Biden’s campaigns, and when Biden started his most recent run in the Democratic presidential primary, Cari planned a Chicago fundraiser for him. 3
I checked the link #3. It was a long article about Rezko and Cari but never even mentioned Joe Biden. Makes me wonder how many of the other links have nothing to do with the story.
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Posted by ( MarciaOfMadison ) on September 16, 2008 at 10:26 am
Actually, Mr. Sharman, the “independent” columnist doesn’t write about McCain and he doesn’t actually write about Obama either.
He digs something up—generally irrelevant to the preponderance of information about Obama and then tries to convince us that it is the whole picture. For example, the only instance of poor judgement relative to political influencers that Obama has shown was to do with Rezco. The list for John McCain would be enormous, from the Keating Five to the recent little problem he had with the FCC which accused him of attempting to exert improper influence. Most of John McCain’s advisors and closest friends are lobbyists. That has to tell you something.
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Posted by ( Ciudadano ) on September 16, 2008 at 6:49 am
Mr Sharman fair is fair I hope your next artcle is about Senator McCain’s pals John Ketting and the Ketting 5 and his Army of lobbyst…
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Posted by ( rjma ) on September 16, 2008 at 6:27 am
OK sports fans. That runs the score up to 6 anti-Obama columns for Sharman. I wonder if he will ever take the time to say something nice about the guy he wants us to vote for- I assume its McCain. But he can’t seem to think of anything nice about him. Maybe he doesn’t care and would be happy if we voted for a 3rd party candidate. Just so long as it’s not Obama.
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