Thursday, April 03, 2008

Rezko trial: Memory, drugs, and thievery

Yesterday, Stuart Levine's testimony in the corruption trial of alleged political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko traveled on familiar ground--shakedowns, graft, and kickbacks.

It was back to the weird stuff today, as Rezko's attorney, Joseph Duffy, worked to smash Levine's credibility:

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

"Has the 30 years of drug use had any effect on your memory?" Duffy asked.

"It's possible, sir, but I don't think so,"Levine said. "I don't think so sir because I have conversations with people every day, and, outside of foregtfullness of any human being I have not noticed, nor has anyone pointed out to me, any particular trouble with my memory."

AP has more:

He painted Levine as a career crook who has not held a nine-to-five job since 1976, lived off bribe money and lied to his wife and children while going to marathon drug sessions to snort cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy and other drugs, sometimes with vodka as well.

Levine said he had owned one home worth as much as $6 million in the swanky North Shore suburb of Highland Park and another worth at least $1 million in Florida. He said he and his children drove Porsches and Mercedes-Benz automobiles.

More...

Duffy also coaxed out the story of how Levine admitted he swindled the estate of millionaire businessman Ted Tannenbaum, his mother's first cousin who had taken the youthful Levine under his wing and paid him lavishly.

Two years ago Levine pleaded guilty to mail fraud and the money laundering charges in the hope of receiving a 67 month sentence for his crimes.

Related post:

Rezko trial: The color of purple and drugs

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