Illinois Powerbroker On Trial For Alleged Shakedown

[The Northerner]

CHICAGO (AP) — A millionaire once known as the "king of clout" for his influence in Illinois politics tried to shakedown a Hollywood producer for a $1.5 million campaign donation, prosecutors said on Wednesday as they opened the last trial stemming from the decade-long investigation of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Prosecutor Greg Deis told jurors that the case against William Cellini was about extortion and abuse of power. Cellini, 76, denies any wrongdoing but is accused of conspiring to extort a donation for the then-governor from Thomas Rosenberg, the Oscar-winning producer of "Million Dollar Baby."

Deis told jurors that all Cellini's influence in Illinois politics was so strong that all he had to say to Rosenberg was that he hadn't contributed enough money to Blagojevich, who has since been convicted on corruption charges.

"You have not done 'X' so you will not get 'Y,'" Deis said Cellini effectively told Rosenberg. "It was a shakedown, plain and simple."

Read more: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141096827

[madrchsod]

1. well at least he`s a republican....