AP: Obama Fundraiser Rezko Found Guilty of 16 Counts of Corruption

June 4th, 2008 5:48 PM

The Associated Press just reported that Antoin "Tony" Rezko was found guilty of 16 out of 24 counts in his corruption trial (picture courtesy AP).

Truly shocking: the piece lead with the fact that Rezko was "a prominent political fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama."

Will other media outlets do the same?

While you ponder, here's the surprising first, second, and fourth paragraphs (emphasis added, h/t NBer Meandering):

A federal jury has found a prominent political fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich guilty of 16 of 24 counts in his corruption trial.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko was accused of scheming to get bribes from businesses seeking state contracts. [...]

Rezko has known Obama since he entered politics and was involved in a 2005 real estate deal with the Democratic presidential candidate, although testimony barely touched on their relationship. Most of the focus was on shakedowns prosecutors say Rezko arranged when he was a top adviser to Blagojevich.

Those interested can read about Rezko's connections to Obama here.

That said, readers should be advised that this AP piece was published at the website of CBS's affiliate in Chicago. Given the junior senator from Illinois seemingly sealing the nomination last night, one has to wonder how Obama-loving media will cover this verdict in the next 24 hours.

Stay tuned.