Marathon Pundit: Wednesday Rezko trial highlights

The power of Tony Rezko within the administration of Governor Blagojevich was just mind boggling.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

The former chairman of a state health planning board testified Wednesday he was ready to turn down a controversial proposal for a new, $81 million hospital in Crystal Lake. Then, just before his vote, Thomas Beck told jurors, someone was on the phone.

It was Tony Rezko. Testifying at the indicted businessman and political fund-raiser's corruption trial, Beck recalled telling Rezko: "Tony, this just isn't a good application. Take this job and shove it. . . . I'll resign."

"Do what you have to do," he said Rezko told him. "I took it to mean: 'Get it approved,' " Beck told jurors.

From the Daily Herald:

Beck mentioned no quid pro quo ever enunciated by Rezko, but noted that when Blagojevich was elected, Beck approached Rezko with a $1,000 check for the governor's re-election fund, and in the same conversation asked to be reappointed to the planning board.

Rezko said only he'd see what he could do, Beck said.