http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/708605,122107rezko.article#

New allegations surface against 'Public Official A'

December 21, 2007
Chicago Sun-Times
By STEVE WARMBIR

Gov. Blagojevich told a prominent Democratic fundraiser that the governor “could award contracts, legal work and investment banking to help with fund-raising,” according to a federal court document released Friday.

The court filing offers a detailed overview of the evidence federal prosecutors expect to introduce in the upcoming trial of Antoin “Tony” Rezko, a former key fund-raiser and adviser to the governor.

Blagojevich is not referred to by name in the document, but only as “Public Official A” as he has in previous government court filings.

The governor has denied he is “Public Official A.”

Blagojevich is described in the documents as having a conversation with Joseph Cari, an attorney and prominent Democratic fund-raiser.

Blagojevich allegedly told Cari he “had a lot of ways of helping his friends and that Rezko and Co-Schemer B were his point people in helping his friends and coordinating fundraising,” according to the court document.

Cari pleaded guilty in the case in 2005.

The Chicago Sun-Times has previously identified “Co-Schemer B” as gubernatorial friend Christopher Kelly, a businessman who was recently indicted on tax charges relating to how he paid his massive gambling debts to bookmakers and casinos.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff denied the allegation.

"No such conversation every occurred. This administration does not do business that way," Ottenhoff said.