By CATHY SANTOS • March 23, 2008
Below are the Republicans mentioned in some way in the Rezko/Levine mess. Two have been charged and have already pled guilty. Others have been named in testimony or have been listed as potential witnesses because of their past relationship with Levine and/or Rezko.
Stuart Levine
Levine is a millionaire attorney and longtime Republican contributor. Levine was appointed to the Teachers’ Retirement System Board and a regulatory body, the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, by Republican Governors. Since 1994, Levine contributed an estimated $787,000 to Republican Jim Ryan and was the largest single contributor to Ryan’s unsuccessful 2002 race for Governor. In 2006, Levine pleaded guilty to a wide-ranging series of schemes in which he used his public and private positions to defraud state agencies and a medical school. Levine is the government’s star witness against Rezko.
William Cellini
Cellini has been identified as “Co-Schemer A” in the Rezko trial. The Rezko indictment alleges Cellini played a role in the campaign-contribution-shakedown scheme. Cellini has been one of state government’s most powerful insiders. His firms have been hired by the state to construct government offices, lease them back to the state and, in some cases, manage state office buildings. His Argosy Gaming landed one of Illinois’ first casino licenses. Cellini is a former lobbying partner of Bob Kjellander. Cellini has thus far not been accused of a crime or wrongdoing.
Robert Kjellander
Illinois Republican National Committeeman Bob Kjellander has been referenced as “Individual K” by federal prosecutors. Kjellander, a Springfield lobbyist and former lobbying partner of Cellini, listed Rezko as a contractual lobbyist with his firm for about four years. Kjellander received $809,000 in consulting fees for the 2003 sale of state bonds, much of which prosecutors believe was funneled through a Rezko associate to Rezko “assignees.” Kjellander is Vice Chairman of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2008 Republican National Convention. Kjellander has thus far not been accused of a crime or wrongdoing.
Jim Ryan
Ryan is the former Illinois Attorney General and Republican nominee for Governor in 2002. Ryan is among those listed as a potential witness or whose name may be mentioned in the Rezko trial. Levine was a key financial supporter of Jim Ryan and was a classmate of Ryan’s at Chicago-Kent College of Law. Ryan received an estimated $787,000 from Levine since 1994, and Levine was the largest single contributor to Ryan’s unsuccessful 2002 race for Governor.
John Glennon
Glennon, a member of the Teachers’ Retirement System until 2003, pled guilty to helping Levine cover-up a kickback scheme at Rosalind Franklin University. Glennon was also a lobbyist and bond consultant for DuPage County and top advisor to former Governor George Ryan.
Joe Birkett
Birkett is currently DuPage County State’s Attorney and former Republican candidate for Lt. Governor. Birkett is among those listed as a potential witness or whose name may be mentioned in the Rezko trial. During his failed race for Illinois Attorney General in 2002, Birkett received a $15,000 contribution from John Parisot, a friend of Levine and witness in the Rezko fraud trial. Birkett also received $11,100 directly from Levine.
Jim Edgar
Edgar, former Republican Governor of Illinois, is among those listed as a potential witness or whose name may be mentioned in the Rezko trial. According to Bob Kjellander, Rezko “was very helpful” in raising money for Edgar’s first election for governor in 1990. While Edgar was governor, Rezko’s company got $9.7 million in state loans to fix up apartments in Chicago. Edgar appointed Levine to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board. In 1998, Edgar, as outgoing Governor, also nominated Rezko to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, but he was rejected by the State Senate.
Tom Cross
Cross, House Republican Leader, is among those listed as a potential witness or whose name may be mentioned in the Rezko trial. Cross was also listed as a patron on the Rezko “clout list” - a list of names of individuals Rezko wanted to get state jobs. “Patrons” are people with close ties to the governor or politicians with their own clout acting as sponsors for friends, family members or business associates who either wanted a state job or a position of power on a state board or commission.
Skip Saviano
Saviano, Republican State Representative and Republican State Central Committeeman, was listed as a patron on the Rezko “clout list” - a list of names of individuals Rezko wanted to get state jobs. “Patrons” are people with close ties to the governor or politicians with their own clout acting as sponsors for friends, family members or business associates who either wanted a state job or a position of power on a state board or commission. According to reports, Saviano submitted the name of Juan Gutierrez to be appointed to The State Boxing and Wrestling Board.
James Bruner
Bruner is named as “Individual S” in the Rezko indictment. In 1993, Edgar appointed Bruner to the Teachers’ Retirement System Board (TRS). Cellini played a major role in that appointment. According to the indictment, Levine and Cellini influenced other board members into naming Bruner as Chairman of the Investment Committee of TRS. Bruner refused to recuse himself from a vote to award $370 million in state pension cash to a real estate investment firm founded by Cellini. Bruner is also Chairman of Cellini’s Good Government Council which has contributed over $290,000 to Illinois Republicans.
Dallas Ingemunson
Ingemunson, the former Kendall County GOP Chairman, is among those listed as a potential witness or person whose name may be mentioned in the Rezko trial. Ingemunson was also listed as a patron on the Rezko “clout list” - a list of names of individuals Rezko wanted to get state jobs. “Patrons” are people with close ties to the governor or politicians with their own clout acting as sponsors for friends, family members or business associates who either wanted a state job or a position of power on a state board or commission. Ingemunson helped launch the political careers of Dennis Hastert and Tom Cross, and is Chairman Emeritus of the Illinois Republican Party.
Cathy Santos is a Republican political consultant.
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