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'Pope' of Illinois politics faces corruption trial
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| Contributor | Imperator |
| Last Edited | Imperator Oct 01, 2011 06:48am |
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| Category | Investigation |
| Author | MICHAEL TARM |
| Media | Website - Yahoo News |
| News Date | Saturday, October 1, 2011 12:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | CHICAGO (AP) — The former high school teacher-turned-mega millionaire cozied up to successive Illinois governors from both parties, while staying in the shadows and rarely speaking publicly. But so powerful was he behind the scenes that he was referred to in awe as The King of Clout and the pope of Illinois politics.
The enigmatic William Cellini, 76, will step into the limelight Monday when his corruption trial starts. He's accused of trying to shake down the Oscar-winning producer of "Million Dollar Baby" for a campaign contribution to Rod Blagojevich, and his trial is the last in a series stemming from a decade-long investigation of the former Democratic governor.
Blagojevich was convicted at retrial earlier this year of trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama's old Senate seat. Two trials revealed the ex-governor as charismatic and full of braggadocio but lacking discipline. He seemed to bumble his way through his job and now, at 54, is broke and about to be sentenced to prison.
Cellini is in many ways the opposite. State contacts helped the Springfield Republican earn tens of millions from real estate, casino and even asphalt businesses, and he's held on to much of his wealth. The son of a policeman, he has a reputation as savvy and meticulous and a man not to be crossed.
"He was so well connected, if he was upset with you, there was a perception he could make a few calls — and you may not get that state job or state contract you wanted," said David Morrison, deputy director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.
The trial will offer another peek at the underbelly of Illinois' scandal-plagued politics. To lay the groundwork for their claim that Cellini conspired to shake down movie producer Thomas Rosenberg, prosecutors plan to show he forged ties with top-tier politicians as far back as the 1960s. Their success, however, could depend on whether jurors believe a single witness tainted by his own association with Blagojevich. |
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