Rezko minor figure in Blagojevich charges - so far

After all the anticipation over Antoin "Tony" Rezko's cooperation with prosecutors, he turned out to be a minor character in the charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich - primarily because federal investigators don't yet trust him.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald noted Rezko was literally a footnote in the 76-page criminal complaint charging Blagojevich mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery.

Rezko, a Winnetka businessman, was a principal fundraiser for the governor who was convicted of using his connections to Stuart Levine, a member of two state boards, to demand kickbacks and political contributions in return for government business.

Levine's testimony against Rezko helped lead to his conviction in June. Facing years in prison, Rezko has been talking to prosecutors about possibly cooperating with them in return for consideration at his sentencing.

The new federal complaint against the governor Tuesday said Rezko, "whose reliability has yet to be fully determined," confirmed in discussions with prosecutors the essence of testimony by former Illinois Finance Authority chief Ali Ata. Ata testified that he got the job after contributing significant amounts to Blagojevich's campaign.

Rezko's account differed in some respects from Ata's, the complaint stated, "but in broad terms Rezko's account incriminates Rod Blagojevich in a 'pay to play' scheme."

"Because the government is not yet satisfied that Rezko's accounts are full and complete, the government is not relying on Rezko's account for probable cause." But overall, the complaint said, Rezko's account would add to the evidence against the governor.

Rezko has been in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago since June 4. His sentencing had been indefinitely delayed, reportedly while he held discussions with prosecutors.

But recently, he abruptly asked for and received a sentencing date of Jan. 4, with his lawyer Joseph Duffy saying he wants to get on with his life. The change suggested a possible breakdown in negotiations with prosecutors, though there was speculation he may be using the request as a bargaining tactic.

While Fitzgerald did not comment on whether Rezko was cooperating, prosecutors' explanation that they are checking out his story suggests that a deal may yet be possible.