Illinois Republican Party

Ginnoulias not oblivious to Rezko loan, says states attorney
8/2/2010

From WLS Radio (Bill Cameron)

A loan given to an Antoin "Tony" Rezko company by the family-owned bank of Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias has raised some eyebrows.

Rezko’s company received $22 million from Broadway Bank but the loan was issued after Giannoulias had left the bank to run for state treasurer and his father was in charge.

DuPage County States Attorney Joe Birkett says Giannoulias wasn’t completely in the dark about the loan.

"This loan doesn't happen without board approval. It doesn't happen without consulting with family members, especially when you know that Tony Rezko is political kryptonite, and that if you make a loan to this company, and that sometime in his future it's going to be raised. Your dad's gonna tell you about it," Birkett said.

Republican candidate Mark Kirk said Monday that Giannoulias "misled" voters.

The Giannoulias campaign says Kirk is trying to distract voters from real issues and pointed out that Kirk received a $1,000 campaign contribution from Rezko.

Kirk donated the money to charity.

SOURCE: WLS Radio

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