Rezko singing to feds?

Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who is now spending his days and nights at the Metropolitan Correctional Center awaiting his October 28 for influence peddling, appears to be talking to federal prosecutors regarding the ongoing federal investigation of Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Rezko was Barack Obama's first political sponsor, and primary fundraiser until 2003. He aided Barack Obama with the purchase of his Kenwood mansion in 2005--Rezko's wife bought the south lot adjacent to the Obama property on the same day the Obamas closed on their home. Call it an affordable housing plan for the well-connected.

Pictured above is that house, from the perspective of the Rezko lot.

However, federal investigators are more interested in his role "pay to play" scandals involving state of Illinois and Governor Blagojevich, a Chicago Democrat.

The Chicago "free registration required" Tribune has more:

Four attorneys have told the Tribune in recent days that federal prosecutors have telephoned them and other attorneys either with news Rezko is talking, or armed with details only Rezko could know. The lawyers speculated prosecutors are using the preliminary talks with Rezko to shake loose more cooperation from other witnesses.

"I had very recent a conversation with an assistant U.S. attorney that led me to believe they were getting specific information from either Mr. Rezko or Mr. Rezko's lawyer," said a defense attorney who said he represents a figure in the case. None of the attorneys interviewed would agree to be quoted by name, saying they didn't want to hurt their clients.

The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago declined to comment, as did Rezko's attorney William Ziegelmueller.

Rezko's potential worth to federal authorities extends to every aspect of their investigation, including probes of state hiring and real estate deals involving the governor's wife. Prosecutors have portrayed Rezko, a former restaurant magnate and real estate developer, as intricately involved in some of the most guarded decisions since the earliest days of the administration.

Interesting. Not only "Blago," but his wife could be facing a federal indictment.

The latest development in the Rezko saga, while not directly affecting Obama, is still bad news for Illinois' junior senator.

Remember--Obama is supposed to be so smart. But he just didn't know that his pal was that tight--and in such a sleazy way--with Illinois' first Democratic governor in a generation.

Technorati tags: politics Illinois Election Democrats Chicago Obama Barack Obama Rezko Blagojevich