Rezko May Cut A Deal In Federal Corruption Case

CBS TV Chicago reports:

The prosecution is preparing to rest its case as the politically charged corruption trial of Antoin "Tony" Rezko rolls toward its climax.

There's speculation Friday that Rezko could be ready to cut a deal.

CBS 2's Mike Parker reports prosecution witness and real estate developer Ali Ata spent another day on the witness stand. The longtime friend of Rezko claimed Rezko got him a job running the State Finance Authority in return for big money campaign contributions to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"After Stuart Levine, Tony Rezko had a lot to be thankful for, and his lawyers did a great job," said CBS 2 legal analyst Irv Miller. "Then comes Ali Ata, the last major witness and I think the roller coaster is going the other way right now. He was a tremendous witness for the government."

Rezko's defense attorney, Joe Duffy cross examined Ata Friday and asked him about being questioned by the FBI after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Duffy asked him if his name was the same as one of the attackers, Mohammed Atta.

"Similar," Ata said.

Duffy: "Of course you had nothing to do with the 2001 attacks."

Ata bristled: "Come on, Mr. Duffy, let's not go there."

Duffy: "I'm not going there."

As the trial winds down, speculation is rampant that Rezko may yet cut a deal, plead guilty and tell the government everything he knows.

"If Joe Duffy and Tony Rezko knew that Ali Ata was going to be a witness in the case to bolster the testimony of Stuart Levine, that would have been a major consideration before this trial even started," Miller said.

Ata's testimony, perhaps the last in the government's case, should come to an end Monday.

Then comes a defense case attorneys say will be brief.

The judge says she wants closing arguments to the jury a week from next Monday,