Obama papers confirm Rezko tie

CHICAGO, March 23 (UPI) -- Documents released by Barack Obama's campaign shed more light on his ties to Illinois political fundraiser Antoin Rezko, now on trial on corruption charges.

The just-released papers show Rezko, who is on trial in federal court on charges arising from a multimillion-dollar hospital contract scandal, was among 117 people who worked on Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign, the Chicago Tribune reported Sunday.

Obama was previously linked to Rezko through two 2005 real estate purchases. Obama and his wife had purchased a Chicago mansion in July 2005 on the same day Rezko and his wife bought a lot adjacent to that property. Rita Rezko then sold part of the lot to Obama.

The Tribune said the latest documents, which included national finance committee members working on Obama's ongoing presidential bid and a list of past and current Senate office interns, appear to be part of a new campaign strategy.

The newspaper said in Illinois senator's quest for the Democratic presidential nomination, Obama's camp is attempting to portray him as open about his past political dealings.