Rezko role in Blagojevich case expands

CHICAGO, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Convicted Chicago developer Tony Rezko may have a key role in the corruption case against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, officials said.

Rezko, convicted of influence peddling earlier this year, was identified in an FBI affidavit as a "principal fundraiser" for Blagojevich, accused of trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat among other things. The affidavit also said Rezko was cooperating in the case against the governor, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

"Rezko has proffered (information) with the government in hopes of receiving a recommendation from the government for a reduced sentence," the affidavit said.

On Thursday, the federal judge in Rezko's case suspended a sentencing hearing, indicating Rezko's cooperation was proceeding, people familiar with the case told the Journal. Since cooperating witnesses exchange their testimony for lighter sentences, judges delay sentencing until the witness's assistance has ended, the sources said.

Earlier this year, Rezko wrote a letter to the judge overseeing his case complaining that Blagojevich investigators were pressuring him to "tell them the 'wrong' things I supposedly know about Governor Blagojevich and Senator Obama."

Obama, who bought property from Rezko's wife, hasn't been linked to any of the developer's alleged crimes nor to the Blagojevich probe.

In October, a lawsuit was filed in Illinois state court by a former bank employee, alleging he was fired after questioning a $500,000 loan that financed Rezko's wife's purchase of the vacant lot, a portion of which she eventually sold to the Obamas.