Saturday, November 04, 2006

Obama: Dealings with Rezko "a mistake"

The pressure was building on Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his unique property neighbor, Rita Rezko, wife of indicted Democratic fundraiser Tony Rezko.

To refresh memories, on the same day that that Obama and his wife closed on a $1.65 million home in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood, Rita Rezko bought a side-parcel adjacent to the Obamas. That property was once part of the same estate, but the prior owner of the property sold them separately.

From the Chicago "free registration required" Tribune:

Sen. Barack Obama has expressed remorse for financial arrangements he made with an indicted political fundraiser to improve their adjoining South Side properties.

Obama has described his dealings with Antoin "Tony" Rezko as ethical and proper, but on Saturday he acknowledged the arrangement raised the possible appearance of impropriety.

"It was a mistake to have been engaged with him at all in this or any other personal business dealing that would allow him, or anyone else, to believe that he had done me a favor," Obama said in a written statement Saturday. "For that reason, I consider this a mistake on my part and I regret it."

Obama's remarks came in response to Wednesday's Tribune article detailing how he and Rezko's wife bought adjoining properties last year, then worked together to build a wrought-iron fence and make other improvements.

Related posts:

More on Obama and Rezko: UPDATED

Obama and his vacant lot neighbor, Tony Rezko

Obama on Rezko real estate deal details: "I don't recall"

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