Yesterday's incredible revelation -- that former Blagojevich aide Ali Ata pleading guilty to the feds' charges that he lied when he told the feds he received nothing in return for his generosity to the governor's campaign fund -- begs more questions to be asked and answered.
Where did Ali Ata get the money he gave to Blagojevich and Rezko?
In his guilty plea agreement, Ata explained how he met with Tony Rezko and Governor Blagojevich, handed Rezko a check for $25,000 after which the Governor expressed appreciation and spoke about a possible position within the administration.
Ata's plea agreement suggests the governor's involvement in inappropriate, unethical, if not illegal, campaign activity.
The Trib's news blog "Clout Street" provides an excellent rundown of the story, and makes Ata's plea agreement with the feds available to see for yourself here.
Division Street, NBC5.com's newsblog, ties some loose ends together and quotes some important background information on Ata that raises even more questions.
According to state election records, Ata gave Blagojevich $60,000 over the years. But that's not all he handed over to the Blagojevich/Rezko duo. From the Sun-Times account:
Besides saying he had to give money to the governor's campaign to get his state job, Ata said he also had to keep Rezko happy to keep the job. To do so, he said he agreed to Rezko's repeated pleas for cash and ended up giving him a total of $125,000 in cash.
So the question arises, where did Ali Ata get that much money to give to politicians and their confidantes?
Division Street gives Ata's background as the Executive Director of the private school affiliated with the Bridgeview mosque. Where does the ED of a private Muslim school get the kind of money he gave to Rezko and Blagojevich?
Some of it may have come from allegedly unreported investment income. Still -- almost $200,000 handed over to the Blagojevich/Rezko duo? These revelations beg more and more questions.
Where did Ata's money come from?
See also Rezko Watch . . .
