from the Illinois Republican Party
Today Alexi Giannoulias (photo right) sent a fundraising solicitation giving away a special lunch with supporters who donate to his campaign. After revelations of his close relationship with Boston Blackies owner Nick Giannis, will they be lunching at Boston Blackie's?
For weeks, Alexi has refused to answer questions about his involvement in authorizing Broadway Bank loans given to Nick Giannis, a close family friend now in custody on bank fraud charges.
Boston Blackie's owner Giannis was arrested on March 11th as he attempted to flee the country. Records show Broadway Bank made a $4.25 million loan to Boston Blackie's in February of 2005 and a $1.2 million loan to Giannis in December of 2002 – after Giannis was convicted of illegal firearm possession in 1996. Giannoulias was Vice President and Chief Loan Officer of Broadway Bank when both loans were given.
