Guide Note

Antoin "Tony" Rezko was a real estate developer and broker.

On June 4, 2008 Rezko was found guilty on 16 of 24 counts of corruption. Rezko was convicted of wire and mail fraud, money laundering, and bribery. He was acquitted on eight charges including attempted extortion.

Fast Facts

1. Born: 1955
2. Place of Birth: Aleppo, Syria
3. Arrested: January 28, 2008
4. Trial began: March 6, 2008
5. Sentencing scheduled for September 3, 2008
6. Earned an engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology
7. Invested in restaurants Papa John's Pizza and Panda Express
8. Attorney: Joseph Duffy

Rezko was arrested on January 28, 2008 and charged with 24 counts of fraud. His trial began on March 6, 2008.

The charges came from a three-year FBI investigation claiming Rezko demanded money from companies who sought to do business in Illinois. He was accused of scheming with Governor Rod Blagojevech to get a $1.5 million kickback. Blagojevech was not charged with any wrongdoing.

Rezko was also accused of laundering money in an associates restaurant business.

The media has been particularly interested in Rezko because of reports indicating that had given money to Barack Obama, however, the criminal charges were unrelated to Rezko's connection with any politician.

Rezko and Barack Obama were longtime friends and Rezko was a financial supporter of Obama. He made donations to Obama's campaign which were later donated to charity.

Rezko's political ties also comprise of a $3.6 million fundraiser held for George W. Bush in 2003.

According attorney Joseph Duffy Rezko plans to appeal the verdict although he wishes to begin serving his sentence immediately.