Giannoulias gives Blackie's cash to charity

Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias is turning over to charity more than $100,000 in campaign donations tied to Boston Blackie's executives charged in a check-kiting scheme.

Giannoulias' Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park, called on the state treasurer to divest the donations after restaurant owners Nick and Chris Giannis and manager Andy Bakopoulos were charged Thursday.

In all, Giannoulias spokeswoman Kathleen Strand says contributions linked to the owners totaled $4,800 for the candidate's Senate bid and another $110,000 from his treasurer campaign fund. The names of the charities receiving the cash were not yet available from the campaign Friday.

Giannoulias' family bank, Broadway Bank in Chicago, has provided loans to Blackie's executives in the past. Before running for statewide office in 2006, Giannoulias was the loan manager at the bank.

Giannoulias was filled with "shock and disbelief" upon hearing of the charges Thursday, Strand said.

The arrests have only further fueled attention on Giannoulias' family bank as he campaigns for the seat once held by President Barack Obama.

Giannoulias also has faced questions about his role in approving loans at the bank, which is now facing government sanctions as it tanks under the weight of unpaid debt linked to the economic recession.

Giannoulias has said Broadway Bank might fail. He has not worked at the bank since 2006, but his family is still in charge.

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<li><a href="/story/?id=365249">Boston Blackie's owners charged with check scheme <span class="date">[03/11/10]</span></a></li>

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