The ‘Tony’ Rezko case

Antoin "Tony" Rezko enters the Dirksen Federal Building for the reading of the verdict in his trial.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko leaves the Dirksen Federal Building a free man after U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve granted the defense request. Several friends and family members put up $8.5 million in property and cash to secure his release to home confinement. Rezko has been behind bars since January, when he was deemed a flight risk after he received a $3.5 million wire transfer from Lebanon. Rezko will only be allowed to leave his Wilmette mansion for the trial downtown or when the court grants him permission.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko leaves the Dirksen Federal Building a free man after U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve granted the defense request. Several friends and family members put up $8.5 million in property and cash to secure his release to home confinement. Rezko has been behind bars since January, when he was deemed a flight risk after he received a $3.5 million wire transfer from Lebanon. Rezko will only be allowed to leave his Wilmette mansion for the trial downtown or when the court grants him permission.

Joseph J. Duffy, attorney for Antoin "Tony" Rezko, talks in January 2008 with reporters at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. Rezko, a former adviser and fundraiser for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, is accused of abusing public connections to seek bribes.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko enters the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago with his two sons, before hearing the verdict in his corruption trial.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago after court in his corruption trial.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko, center, arrives at the Dirksen Federal Building for the reading of the verdict in his corruption trial.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko arrives at the Dirksen Federal Building to hear closing arguments in his corruption trial. Rezko, a clout-heavy businessman and political fundraiser, has close ties to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Illinois Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Tony Rezko (left) and an unidentified man leave the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago after court proceedings in Rezko's corruption trial.

U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald (far right) announces federal indictments Wednesday against Antoin "Tony" Rezko, one of Gov. Blagojevich's closest advisers and fundraisers.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald speaks to reporters at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago after Antoin "Tony" Rezko was sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison for extorting millions of dollars from firms seeking state business or regulatory approval. Fitzgerald called St. Eve's decision a "stiff" but "appropriate sentence." "I don't know how many times we've had sentences of ten and a half years" in public corruption cases, Fitzgerald said." "It's a bit of a wake-up call."

Tony Rezko and an unidentified man leave the Dirksen Federal Bldg in Chicago after a day of court proceedings in Rezko's corruption trial.

Tony Rezko's attorney Joe Duffy speaks to reporters at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago after his client was sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison. Duffy, called the judge's sentence "harsh." Rezko apologized to the judge, saying, "I come to ask for God's forgiveness and the court's mercy." "You were engaged in a very, very serious offense, Mr. Rezko" the judge said as she imposed the sentence.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago to hear verdict in his corruption trial.

Ali Ata leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after testifying in the corruption trial of Antoin "Tony" Rezko.

Tony Rezko's attorney Joe Duffy speaks to reporters at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago after his client was sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison. Duffy, called the judge's sentence "harsh." "We're obviously very disappointed," Duffy said. "I understand why the judge wants to send a message. The message should be sent to the community, but the message ... and punishment should go to the public officials who abuse the public trust."

In a 2005 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Tony Rezko, a friend, fundraiser and one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's closest advisers, said he doesn't understand why he is considered by some to be controversial.

Tony Rezko, one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's closest advisers, said in a 2005 interview with the Chicago Tribune that he doesn't understand why he is controversial.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko arrives at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago to hear the verdict in his corruption trial.

Tony Rezko leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Monday after his lawyers opted not to present any witnesses in his defense.

Cameras and lights greet Antoin "Tony" Rezko (center) as he leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse with his lawyer, Joseph J. Duffy, after posting bail.

Joseph Duffy, the attorney for Tony Rezko, is all smiles as he leaves court. Duffy opted not to present any witnesses in Rezko's defense and prosecutors wrapped up their case against Rezko after more than nine weeks of testimony.

Ali D. Ata, 55, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after pleading not guilty to a fraud charge that accuses him of misusing his post to benefit indicted businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko. He was charged with aiding and abetting Rezko in a wire-fraud scheme. Rezko allegedly used bogus information to obtain a loan as part of a sham sale of pizza franchises he owned in Illinois and Wisconsin, prosecutors charged. Ata was accused of writing a letter that falsely made it appear the buyer intended to finance the restaurant deal through the Illinois Finance Authority.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after an August 2007 hearing in his corruption case. A federal judge told both prosecutors and his defense lawyers to prepare for a February trial date.