Biden has indirect tie to Rezko

CHICAGO, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., is reported to be an old friend of a Chicago lawyer linked to convicted felon Tony Rezko.

Sen. Barack Obama's newly named running mate has known attorney Joseph Cari Jr. for 30 years and was helped by Cari in his own 2008 primary campaign, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday.

In 2005, Cari admitted taking part in an $850,000 kickback scheme that Illinois prosecutors said was part of a larger political fundraising operation overseen by Rezko, the Tribune said.

Rezko, a long-time friend and supporter of Obama, D-Ill., is awaiting sentencing after being convicted last June of wide-ranging corruption involving state deals.

Earlier this year the Obama campaign donated to charity funds contributed by Rezko and Cari along with two other donors involved in the Rezko case. An Obama spokesman told the Tribune that Biden will do the same.