http://www.suntimes.com/news/766605,CST-NWS-obama30.articleCAMPAIGN CASH | Senator's camp says he's giving up rest of tainted donations
January 30, 2008
BY CHRIS FUSCO AND TIM NOVAK Staff Reporters
Barack Obama on Tuesday night aimed to scrub Tony Rezko's taint off his political fund-raising machine, saying he's identified all remaining donations to his U.S. Senate campaign that are tied to the indicted businessman and is donating them to charity.
The latest dump of Rezko-related cash by the Democratic presidential contender is $72,650, bringing the total Obama is giving away to $157,835.
"By refunding these donations, the campaign has returned any and all funds that could be reasonably credited to Mr. Rezko's political support," Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement.
Tony Rezko, 52, left, was once a key fund-raiser for Sen. Barack Obama, right. Rezko, who has been indicted, is set to go to trial Feb. 25. for a corruption and fraud case.
The total includes "contributions made by Mr. Rezko's family members, employees of his companies and those whose contributions may be connected to" a June 27, 2003, fund-raiser at Rezko's Wilmette mansion.