Discover the Network

Rezko splashed across the front page Saturday of both major Chicago papers. Discovering the network, digging down to the nitty gritty. Tribune, "Developer was mole for feds":

Records made public so far do not identify the targets of the federal probe, and the FBI and U.S. attorney's office declined to comment for this article.

But the case could send ripples through Chicago's huge financial and real estate industries because Thomas' business clients and associates include several well-known commercial and residential developers.

Among them is Rezmar Corp., which was run by Antoin "Tony" Rezko, the politically-connected entrepreneur who pleaded not guilty last fall after being indicted on federal influence-peddling and fraud charges.

"Feds sic mole on Rezko" Sun Times:

When Mahru was a partner with Rezko, their company -- Rezmar Corp. -- was helped by Thomas' Carnegie Realty Partners to obtain financing to build a 24-story condominium complex at Chicago and Hudson, a project that ultimately did not get off the ground.

The financial institution that backed that deal was Broadway Bank, which is owned by the family of state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. Elected in the Democratic sweep last year, Giannoulias has had to answer criticism over loans his bank made to reputed crime figures.

"Carnegie brought us to Broadway," Mahru said, and introduced him to Giannoulias' father.

And Alexi Giannoulias of Broadway Bank was one of Obama's biggest backers, besides Rezko that is.

In turn, Obama backed Giannoulias for the state Treasurer slot, despite the lingering questions, rather than the Downstate candidate backed by the party regulars.