MEET THE CANDIDATES: ALEXI GIANNOULIAS
WASHINGTON – In light of calls from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Governor Pat Quinn (D-IL) for U.S. Senator Roland Burris’ (D-IL) resignation and their endorsements of a special election in Illinois, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is launching a series of backgrounders informing voters about the potential Democrat candidates interested in serving the people of Illinois in the U.S. Senate. The first Democrat dossier is on none other than Senator Durbin’s own travel buddy and choice candidate to replace Burris, Alexi Giannoulias.
“In the wake of Rod Blagojevich and Roland Burris, it’s difficult to see how Alexi Giannoulias represents the change that the people of Illinois deserve and demand. From his connections to the mob to his family ties to Tony Rezko, Giannoulias' sordid past raises serious questions that will be problematic in a state looking for new leadership. If Giannoulias is the Democrats' nominee in 2010, they will once again have the challenge of electing a candidate who has demonstrated poor judgment and questionable ethics,” NRSC spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson.
ALEXI GIANNOULIAS: BANKER TO THE MOB
Alexi Giannoulias’ Bank Made Loans To Mobster Michael “Jaws” Giorango, Who Was Convicted In 2004 For Running Prostitution Rings, And In 1988 On Illegal Gambling Charges. (Greg Hinz, “Alexi’s Business,” Crain’s Chicago Business, 3/13/06)
At First, Giannoulias Said He Met “Jaws” A Few Times And Questioned Those Who Thought He Was A Criminal, Describing Him As “A Very Nice Person.” “But Giannoulias said that since he became a full-time senior loan officer, he has met Giorango at the bank ‘a few’ times. He described Giorango as ‘a very nice person’ and questioned whether Giorango actually was a criminal. ‘Is he a crime figure?’ Giannoulias asked. ‘I don’t know what the charges are that makes him this huge crime figure.’” (Courtney Flynn and David Jackson, “Loans To Crime Figure Haunt State Treasurer Hopeful,” Chicago Tribune, 3/15/06)
· When Asked If It Was Acceptable For The State Treasurer To Make Loans To Crime Figures, Giannoulias Said It Is His Job To Get “The Best Rate Of Return For Taxpayers To Create Jobs.” (David Jackson, “Loans Cast Pall Over Candidate,” Chicago Tribune, 4/9/06)
After Weeks Of Criticism And Story Changes, Giannoulias Finally Apologized For The Loans And Took Responsibility. (Deanna Bellandi, “Treasurer Candidate Talks About Family’s Bank Loans To Criminal,” The Associated Press, 4/26/06)
THE GIANNOULIAS FAMILY IS NOT BLAGO-FREE
Alexi Giannoulias’ Brother, Demetris, Was Twice Appointed By Blagojevich To The Illinois Finance Authority, And Alexi And Demetris’ Father Donated $10,000 To Blagojevich’s Campaign. (Bernard Schoenburg, Op-Ed, “Blagojevich Has Twice Appointed Giannoulias Brother,” State Journal-Register, 10/26/06)
· Demetris Giannoulias Was Listed On A Blagojevich “Clout List,” And Indicted Businessman Tony Rezko Pushed For His Appointment. “Clout lists’ that tracked politically backed job seekers to Gov. Blagojevich’s administration have surfaced in the case of indicted businessman Tony Rezko, with Rezko’s lawyers arguing the documents shouldn’t be allowed as evidence in his upcoming corruption trial. The lists, which total 26 pages, offer yet another glimpse into the administration’s hiring practices shortly after the governor took office in 2003.” (Chris Fusco, Dave McKinney, And Natasha Korecki, “Gov’s ‘Clout Lists’ Surface In Rezko Trial,” Chicago Sun-Times, 2/22/08)
* “Rezko . . . pushed for the appointment of Chicago banker Demetris Giannoulias, brother of Democratic state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, to the Illinois Finance Authority board . . . .” (Chris Fusco, Dave McKinney, and Natasha Korecki, “Gov’s ‘Clout Lists’ Surface In Rezko Trial,” Chicago Sun-Times, 2/22/08)
BROADWAY BANK LOANS FOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS?
“Many Of The Biggest Donors To Democratic State Treasurer Candidate Alexi Giannoulias Also Received Millions Of Dollars In Loans From His Family’s Broadway Bank--Some Making Their Campaign Contributions Within Weeks Or Months Of Receiving The Loans . . . .” (David Jackson and Courtney Flynn, “Bank Clients Beef Up Campaign War Chest,” Chicago Tribune, 10/11/06)
· “Giannoulias Has Received Nearly $300,000 In Campaign Contributions From 19 Donors Who Held A Combined $200 Million In Bank Loans, according to campaign disclosures and other records. They were among the 42 donors outside of his family who gave at least $5,000 each as of June 30.” (David Jackson and Courtney Flynn, “Bank Clients Beef Up Campaign War Chest,” Chicago Tribune, 10/11/06)
DESPITE OBVIOUS ETHICAL ISSUES, SENATOR DURBIN HAS ALL BUT ENDORSED GIANNOULIAS FOR ROLAND BURRIS’ SENATE SEAT
Senator Dick Durbin Recently Called Alexi Giannoulias A “Formidable” Candidate And A “Hard Worker” With Great Fundraising Potential. (Manu Raju, “Dems Worry About Burris In 2010,” Politico, 2/12/09)
- “‘Although He’s New To The Scene In Illinois, He’s Worked Our State,’ Durbin Told Politico. ‘Most People From Chicago Don’t Know Much About Downstate [Illinois]. Alexi Is An Exception.’” (Manu Raju, “Dems Worry About Burris In 2010,” Politico, 2/12/09)
- “‘[Y]ou Put Those Together - A Young Man With That Kind Of Energy, Who Really Understands The Politics Of The State And Has Upside Potential Of Raising Significant Funds - He Has To Be Taken Seriously,’ Durbin Said.” (Manu Raju, “Dems Worry About Burris In 2010,” Politico, 2/12/09)
Durbin’s Comments Have Signaled To Some That He Was Giving The Go Ahead For Illinois Fundraisers And Powerbrokers To Start Backing Giannoulias. “[D]urbin’s comments were striking, considering he’s talking about a mere potential candidate within his own party who may run against a sitting senator. Parties typically back their incumbent senators - and some in Illinois interpreted Durbin’s remarks as a signal to fundraisers and powerbrokers in the state that it’s OK to back Giannoulias should he mount a 2010 bid.” (Manu Raju, “Dems Worry About Burris In 2010,” Politico, 2/12/09)
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