from the ap
Two things already are clear in the $7 million federal fraud trial of a fundraiser for some of presidential hopeful Barack Obama's earlier political campaigns.
The fraud, attempted extortion and money laundering charges against businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko have little if anything to do with Obama. But they have a lot to do with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and allegations of an influence-peddling scheme within his inner circle.
Even so, as a presidential contender, Obama was guaranteed to feel the heat when a longtime friend and supporter went on trial in a political scandal.
Neither Obama nor Blagojevich are accused of wrongdoing in the trial, which began with opening statements Thursday and took a break Friday. But Obama's Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton has raised questions about his long ties to Rezko, and if the Illinois senator wins the nomination Republicans are likely to do the same.
"I think the national and international press have repeatedly done a calculation that says Rezko gave to Obama, Rezko was indicted, hence Obama is implicated, and that's a false calculation," says Cindi Canary, head of the nonpartisan, foundation-funded Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.
