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Crook gave Chicago politician home upgrade

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) speaks on immigration reform and the Uniting American Families Act, in Washington on July 15, 2010. The law would extend immigration rights to same sex couples seeking permanent residence. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) speaks on immigration reform and the Uniting American Families Act, in Washington on July 15, 2010. The law would extend immigration rights to same sex couples seeking permanent residence. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

CHICAGO, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A convicted Chicago businessman gave U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez free improvements on his house, FBI records show.

Gutierrez's comments to the FBI in a 2008 interview contradict what he told the Chicago Sun-Times in 2006, the paper reported Monday.

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"I walked in with my wife -- as any other consumer could have -- and purchased the unit at the listed price, with no considerations," the congressman said in the Sun-Times interview, asserting he never discussed the deal with Tony Rezko himself.

But he told a different tale when questioned two years later about the townhome he bought in a Rezko development in Chicago.

Gutierrez, D-Ill., told the FBI Rezko told him that the price of the town home had gone up $35,000 in two weeks.

With the increase, Gutierrez told Rezko he should get some upgrades, sources told the newspaper. The work eventually included an extra bathroom and better carpets, which the congressman got for free, the Sun-Times said.

Rezko has been convicted of corruption involving state contracts during then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration.

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