Rezko in the Know

As the prosecution moves to rest its case Monday, speculation is rampant on whether Rezko will cut a deal. The Tribune has a story today on the number of state employees helped by Rezko who put their houses up for bail to return the favor:

Several current and former state employees -- including the brother of Rezko's wife -- are among two dozen people who put up personal property as collateral to get Rezko out of jail on bond during his federal fraud trial in Chicago.

In the case of his brother-in-law, Roger Malki, officials apparently had trouble getting him off the payroll once he left his job. Documents obtained by The Associated Press suggest Malki continued to be paid for up to three weeks after he had left Blagojevich's Department of Central Management Services.

(Some of those hired were those infamous interns, to skirt rules giving hiring preference to veterans as well as those prohibiting political considerations.) But here's one more indication Tony Rezko was in the know--where he leased his car. John Kass "At felon's car-leasing spot, pols have zeal for the deals".