Attorney pounces on contradictions

Not an inch.

That's exactly what attorney Joseph Duffy is giving star witness Stuart Levine in his testimony against Duffy's client Antoin "Tony" Rezko.

Several times Wednesday, Duffy rose to his feet to point out inconsistencies in Levine's testimony.

Levine testified that in one of his talks with Rezko between the summer of 2003 and the end of the year, Rezko told him he "spoke very often and in fact went over decisions that (Gov. Rod Blagojevich's then-chief of staff) Lon Monk would put into place prior to that happening."

Did Rezko say anything else about Monk, asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Niewhoener.

"No, sir," said Levine.

Then, after a long pause, he said "I'm very sorry, Mr. Niewhoener, I misspoke."

"I'm sorry, judge, did the witness want to change his answer?" piped up Duffy.

"I did not give a complete answer," said Levine. "Mr. Rezko told me that all major decisions made by … Mr. Monk were cleared through Rezko."

Levine also testified about having dinner with the Rezkos in Mexico when both were vacationing there separately. At first, Levine put the date in the spring of 2003. Then he said 2004.

"He said 2003 a few minutes ago," said Duffy, mock inquiring if they had moved on to another topic.

Levine at first pegged a fundraising trip to New York with Blagojevich as taking place Aug. 29, 2003. A few moments later, he put it at Oct. 29, 2003.

"I'm sorry, your honor, I didn't hear that. Are we changing dates?" asked Duffy.

Eventually, Niewhoener began trying to blunt the missteps, pointing them out before Duffy could.

For example, Levine testified at one point that before he got to know Rezko well, he had his friend Bill Cellini approach Rezko to get Rezko reappointed to a state board. A week before he was reappointed, Blagojevich fundraiser Chris Kelly told Levine it was taken care of, Levine said.

Did Levine discuss the appointment with Rezko?

"I don't believe so," said Levine.

Had he heard a story involving Lon Monk and his reappointment?

Yes, said Levine. When he had talked to Rezko about his reappointment, Levine began.

As Duffy rose to his feet, Niewhoener cut him off.

"You just said a moment ago you didn't (talk to Rezko about the reappointment)," Niewhoener pressed.

Levine clarified that he talked to Rezko after the reappointment, not before.