Rezko Cools His Heels

Tony Rezko will cool his heels at home until next spring. Trial date Feb. 25th, 2008. (When's the Illinois presidential primary going to be?) Tribune:

Antoin "Tony" Rezko, once a top adviser and fundraiser to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, won't have to go on trial on kickback charges for a full year.

U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve set trial for February 2008 after Rezko's lawyer complained about the complexity of the case. The lawyer, Joseph Duffy, also expects to be involved in a major trial in Ohio next fall. [snip]

On Tuesday Duffy sought to ease bond restrictions for Rezko, but St. Eve ordered that he remain on home confinement.

Prosecutors opposed lifting home confinement, arguing that Rezko had misrepresented his finances three times to the judge.

According to Niewoehner, Rezko had falsely claimed to pay off the mortgage on his Wilmette house, only to have the check bounce; tried to post the house for bail even though he had signed away his interest in the property; and failed to disclose $330,000 in personal property.

Tony Rezko, hanging around the neighborhood.

Related post: Political Bedfellows