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Rezko Trial: More Testimony about Removing Fitzgerald

Over objections by lawyers for Tony Rezko, Ali Ata testified today at Rezko's criminal trial. (Background on Ata, who pleaded guilty last week here.)

Ata testified Rezko told him "a plan was in place" to remove Patrick Fitzgerald as U.S. Attorney.

Mr. Rezko informed me that they had just finished meeting with Mr. [Robert] Kjellander and that there will be a change in U.S. attorney's office come the new administration," Ata said. And how would there be a change?

"Mr. Kjellander will talk to Karl Rove and make a change in the U.S. attorney's office," Ata said. He knew from Rezko that Kjellander was a GOP operative and had a direct relationship with Rove, at the time a top adviser to President Bush. Kjellander is Illinois' Republican national committeeman. Both he and Rove have denied the allegations.

Ata is singing for his supper. He's expecting a sentence of one year instead of eight for his testimony against Rezko.

Here's an assortment of the latest Rezko trial news.

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    No More Mention Of Obama? (none / 0) (#1)
    by PssttCmere08 on Thu May 01, 2008 at 07:01:22 PM EST


    Obama isn't involved (none / 0) (#2)
    by pie on Thu May 01, 2008 at 07:04:18 PM EST
    in this aspect of it.  Not sure how he's involved at all.  Just associated with the wrong guy.

    Parent
    There's a reason (none / 0) (#6)
    by Salo on Thu May 01, 2008 at 08:47:37 PM EST
    that Fitz is the prosecutor.

    This onvolves Presidents or Presidential aspirants.  He's an Eliot Ness, sent out to get the Al Capones of Federal Politics.

    Parent

    They really tried to remove Fitz? (none / 0) (#3)
    by kredwyn on Thu May 01, 2008 at 07:28:33 PM EST
    Why?

    Is it because he's a pitbull?

    perhaps so. (none / 0) (#7)
    by cpinva on Fri May 02, 2008 at 12:21:24 AM EST
    Ata is singing for his supper. He's expecting a sentence of one year instead of eight for his testimony against Rezko.

    but, he's still under oath, and could face perjury charges if found to be knowingly lying. unfortunately, as with most conspiracy trials, it's kind of rare that someone totally uncomplicit is going to have information of any value.

    the jury can take his testimony for what it's worth, and the defense can attempt to impeach him on cross.

    Rove under oath, maybe? (none / 0) (#8)
    by txpublicdefender on Fri May 02, 2008 at 11:54:59 AM EST
    Does this mean we will finally get Rove under oath to talk about US Attorney stuff?  I don't think the criminal court can allow Rove to claim executive privilege once they have allowed this witness, over defense objection, to talk about this whole alleged scheme.

    I do remember in the US Attorney scandal there being some discussion about how Fitzgerald was on a preliminary list of those maybe should go, but ultimately dropped off.  At the time, the scuttlebut was that it was about him being so dogged in the Plame investigation.  This is an interesting twist.