Brian Ross has done it again. This is a KEY line: News organizations have found "Rezko-linked contributions that are more than double what the campaign has publicly acknowledged..." Be sure to watch Nightline tonight:
... "We have returned any money that we know was associated to Mr. Rezko," Obama told Diane Sawyer on Wednesday morning during an appearance on "Good Morning America." ...
The Obama campaign says it has given away more than $85,000 in Rezko-linked contributions since Rezko was indicted on federal fraud and extortion charges in the fall of 2006.
An ABCNews.com review, however, has identified an additional $100,000 in contributions made to Obama from Rezko's associates that have not been returned, including $19,500 in contributions from Rezko's wife and employees of Rezko's business enterprises. The ABCNews.com review includes individuals who have been linked to Rezko in news reports, court documents and public records.
"ABC News: How Much Did an Accused Political Fixer Raise for Obama?" notes that:
Other news organizations have reviewed Obama's campaign finance records and have also found Rezko-linked contributions that are more than double what the campaign has publicly acknowledged. The Chicago Sun-Times, which published its review last June, found that "Obama has collected at least $168,308 from Rezko and his circle," and earlier this week the Los Angeles Times reported that it had found that Rezko and his associates had given "Obama more than $200,000 in donations since 1995."
ADD TO THAT THESE FACTS:
1/25/2008 9:32:51 AM
Today, NBC aired an undated photo of Hillary and Bill Clinton taken with Tony Rezko and tried to compare that picture to Sen. Obama's 17-year relationship with the indicted influence peddler. Over the course of her career, Hillary has probably taken tens of thousands of photos. Here are some facts you should know:
Tony Rezko has never contributed a dime to Hillary or Bill Clinton. They have no relationship with Tony Rezko.
Tony Rezko has been described as Sen. Obama's "political patron" and friend of 17 years.
Tony Rezko and his associates have directly donated over $200,000 to Sen. Obama, and bundled more, but Sen. Obama has only returned $85,000. Sen. Obama's name recently appeared in court documents because it was revealed some money Rezko raised was funneled through at least one straw donor or stolen from the government.
Sen. Obama wrote letters to city and state officials that helped secure $14 million for Rezko in taxpayer money.
Sen. Obama helped Rezko impress potential investors by appearing at his business meetings.
Most famously, Sen. Obama and Rezko were involved in a controversial real estate transaction.
SEE OTHER STORIES at NoQuarter:
If you're not familiar with the Rezko case, this story may be particularly helpful -- it was aired last night on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360:
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