Feds indict insider with ties to Blagojevich
From Sunshine Review
October 30, 2008
A federal grand jury has indicted GOP power broker William Cellini on corruption charges. He is the 13th defendant charged in "Operation Board Games," a federal investigation of corruption in the Blagojevich administration. The Governor has not been charged with any wrongdoing.[1]
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[edit] Charges
Cellini was charged with conspiring to force a real estate investment firm led by Hollywood producer Thomas Rosenberg to either raise or donate substantial funds to Blagojevich's campaign. The four count indictment against Cellini includes conspiracy to commit mail fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion, and soliciting a bribe.[1]
[edit] Teachers' Retirement System
Federal prosecutors held Cellini up as a key player in a pay-to-play scheme dealing with the activities of the board of the Teachers' Retirement System. He is said to have been part of a plan to corrupt the board and receive kickbacks and campaign contributions from firms desiring state business.
Cellini played a prominent role in the plan to extort Rosenberg, whose Capri Capital Advisers firm was planning to do business with the Teachers' Retirement System. He conspired with Antoin Rezko and Chris Kelly, another Blagojevich fundraiser, to get Rosenberg to free up a $220 million investment with the TRS that had been stalled by Stuart Levine. Rosenberg was offered the choice of either paying Levine 1% of the $220 million or make a $1.5 million contribution to Blagojevich. When Rosenberg threatened to go public, the deal fell apart.[1]
[edit] Maintains innocence
Dan K. Webb, Cellini's attorney, released a statement saying that Cellini "is completely innocent of these charges, and he will fight this case because he has done absolutely nothing wrong. Bill has lived an exemplary life as a successful businessman and devoted husband and father, and he will not allow his reputation to be damaged by these unfair and unjust charges. Bill is confident that a jury will find him not guilty."[1]
