Rezko raised $250,000 for Obama during the course of his political career. Rezko’s criminal convictions reflect his lawbreaking in part through his fundraising activities for other Democrats, notably Rod Blagojevich, who may not be Governor for very much longer as a result of this conviction. As Stephen Spruiell makes clear, part of Rezko’s illegal activities put at least $10,000 into Obama’s coffers. He also details how Obama helped Rezko package one of the deals in which Rezko bought property to qualify for public funds while working as an attorney in a Chicago law firm.

Rezko wasn’t just some guy on the cocktail-circuit for Obama or a campaign donor. Rezko was a close associate on several levels. Assuming that Barack Obama knew nothing of Rezko’s criminal business practices, how adept could Obama be?