News

2 plead innocent in loan fraud case

Posted January 03, 2008 10:00 pm

By Rob Olmstead Daily Herald Staff

A former fundraiser to Gov. Rod Blagojevich pleaded not guilty Thursday to new charges of loan fraud, as did a new defendant in the case.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko of Wilmette and Abdelhamid "Al" Chaib of LaGrange park appeared before U.S. District Judge James Zagel Thursday morning and pleaded not guilty to rigging the prices of pizza franchises to obtain higher bank loans.

Another defendant, Ali Ata, was snowed in in Michigan, Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn McNiven told Zagel. Ata will be arraigned Jan. 11.

Rezko was initially indicted in the case in 2006. A grand jury later added Ata, accusing him of aiding and abetting the scheme. Chaib was added in December.

Rezko is a defendant in another case alleging government corruption and accusing him of trading government influence for campaign donations Blagojevich.

Blagojevich has not been charged with any crimes and denies any wrongdoing.

Rezko will go to trial on the government corruption case next month. His trial date in the loan case has not yet been set.

Abdelhamid Chaib, center, leaves court Thursday with his attorney James R. Streicker, right, and an unidentified man. Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

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