Among their connections, Rezko hosted a fundraiser at his home, a mansion in the wealthy suburb of Wilmette, as Obama began running for U.S. Senate in 2003.
In the court filing last month, the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago describes a $10,000 contribution to a "political candidate" -- now identified as Obama -- for whom Rezko raised money. The donation was made in the name of a business partner of Rezko, called "Individual D" in the document but widely believed to be Joseph Aramanda.
Obama's campaign finance reports show he received $10,000 from Aramanda on March 5, 2004. Obama previously donated that money to charity. Aramanda declined to discuss the matter when contacted at his home last Sunday. Also on March 5, 2004, Obama received $10,000 from Craig Morgan, a systems analyst who works at a firm linked to Rezko.
The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the connection between the unnamed candidate in the court document and Obama in its Saturday editions.
dan.morain@latimes.com
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