Will Rezko Flip?

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CHICAGO (WBBM/AP) - A day after the conviction of political fundraiser Tony Rezko, the question on the minds of many in his circle is: will he flip and cooperate with federal investigators?

Rezko was waking up behind bars this morning, one day after his conviction on corruption charges. He chose to begin his prison sentence even before he knows what it will be, and even before his lawyers file an appeal.

Rezko counted Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Rod Blagojevich among his friends. His trial on federal corruption charges exposed Illinois' crooked political culture.

Federal officials say the investigation into the state's political corruption is far from over.

Chicago businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko, 52, was convicted Wednesday of fraud, money laundering and aiding and abetting bribery in a plot to squeeze illegal payoffs out of firms hoping to do business with the state.

Rezko wielded wide powers within the Blagojevich administration, trial witnesses testified. He now faces a stiff prison sentence and was immediately taken into custody following the verdict.

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald told reporters the verdict represented "an antidote to the poison of corruption" that trial testimony alleged included the fixing of state boards that controlled a $40 billion pension fund and made major decisions about hospital construction.

The nine-week trial included explosive testimony about all-night drug parties involving the government's star witness and allegations that Blagojevich personally discussed a state job for a donor.

Political corruption in Illinois has been deemed so extensive that the FBI has sent an extra official corruption squad into the state.

"If morals don't get to them, I hope the fear of going to jail does," Fitzgerald told reporters.

Rezko's conviction also intensifies the spotlight on his relationship with Obama. Rezko has known Obama since he entered politics, raised money for his Illinois campaigns and was involved in a 2005 real estate deal with him. Obama has donated $150,000 in Rezko-related contributions to charity.

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is accused of no wrongdoing and his name was barely mentioned at trial, but Republicans are unlikely to let voters forget about his ties to Rezko as the presidential race heats up.

Obama issued a statement saying he was "saddened," adding, "This isn't the Tony Rezko I knew, but now he has been convicted by a jury on multiple charges that once again shine a spotlight on the need for reform."

Blagojevich also was not accused of wrongdoing but his reputation received a serious battering by the testimony that emerged. The state legislature has been discussing impeachment and a wide open Democratic primary in 2010 is likely.

One witness said the governor discussed a state payroll job for a campaign contributor with a $25,000 donation lying on the table. Another said Blagojevich spoke of big-money state contracts for those who helped him advance his political career - possibly as a presidential candidate.

Blagojevich has repeatedly denied taking part in any of the shadowy political dealings described from the witness stand. On Wednesday, he read a prepared statement to reporters in which he called Rezko "a friend" who "was a supporter."

"On a personal level I am deeply sad for what's happened to Tony," Blagojevich said. "The jury's decision is yet another reminder that ours is a system of government that is ruled by laws and not by men. I respect the decision of the jury."

Rezko, a Chicago real estate developer and fast-food entrepreneur, was convicted of six counts of mail fraud, six counts of wire fraud two counts of aiding and abetting bribery and two counts of money laundering.

The jury acquitted him of three counts of wire fraud, four counts of aiding and abetting bribery and one count of attempted extortion.

Federal prosecutors accused him of plotting with admitted political fixer Stuart Levine to squeeze payoffs out of money management firms that sought to invest the assets of the $40 billion state Teachers Retirement System.

Rezko also was charged with plotting with Levine to get a $1.5 million bribe from a contractor who sought state approval to build a hospital in the McHenry County suburb of Crystal Lake.

Levine, who freely admitted to years of drug abuse, pleaded guilty to the charges and became the government's star witness in hopes of getting a relatively lenient 5 1/2-year sentence.

U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve set Rezko's sentencing for Sept. 3.

Clad in a sharply tailored tan suit, Rezko showed no emotion as St. Eve read the verdict. He smiled slightly at well wishers and waved as he was escorted to the lockup.

Rezko, who has dual U.S. and Syrian nationality, had been free on $8 million bond pending the trial's conclusion.

"Mr. Rezko, on his own, decided that if he was convicted he wanted to immediately start serving his sentence," said defense attorney Joseph Duffy, who added that he would pursue an appeal.

Jurors who met briefly with reporters following the verdict said that they realized Levine was not the most reliable witness.

"He played with us in the courtroom also," said Andrea Coleman. But another juror, Mona Lisa Mauricette, said his testimony seemed to fit in with tapes of phone conversations made secretly by the FBI.

"We weren't going only on Levine's testimony," Mauricette said.

The jurors laughed and declined to comment when one reporter asked if they had realized how corrupt Illinois politics can be before the trial. They also said Blagojevich's role in the case had no influence on them.

Statement from Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna regarding the Tony Rezko verdict:

"Today's guilty verdict for Tony Rezko is another sad reminder of the broken political system in Illinois and the continuing nightmare of corruption in this state.

"The headlines tomorrow will reduce an already diminished faith in public service from a people - who in Illinois - face the highest gas prices in the nation, huge taxes and out-of-control spending.

"Democrats promised change and the people of Illinois have gotten the same old song and dance.

"Now that the trial has come to an end, it's time Rod Blagojevich came clean with the people of Illinois and answered the numerous questions surrounding his involvement with Tony Rezko."