Better Government Association

Reactions to Rezko Verdict

From City Room

June 04, 2008

Jay Stewart, executive director of the Better Government Association, calls the verdict a huge victory for the U.S. Attorney.

STEWART: The bottom line is, when you're a defendent, you need to win on every single count and he lost on 16 of them. They accused Rezko of creating a scheme to attempt to shake people down to get various state approvals. And, you know, at the end of the day, they didn't prove every single count, but they did prove most of them.

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn says Blagojevich needs to explain why his name popped up so often in the trial.

QUINN: If you're in-charge of the state of Illinois, elected by the people, and you see the verdict on 16 of these counts, it's important for the governor to answer the questions of the people and the taxpayers. That's what I think accountability is all about, and I think it's time for the governor to come forward and answer questions.

The governor is expected to make a statement on the verdict Wednesday night.