Is anyone else wondering what sort of deals are being offered to Tony Rezko's lawyers by federal prosecutors for testimony against King Rod Blagojevich? Yesterday's testimony about how Levine and Rezko were manipulating the near-bankrupt Teacher's Retirement Fund's dollars is getting mighty close to King Rod.

You have to wonder about Abby Ottenhoff. Her statement "We don't endorse or allow the awarding of contracts based on campaign contributions. We never have. We never will," Ottenhoff said to the Trib. "And anyone who suggests otherwise is not telling the truth." Truth is a relative term, Ms Ottenhoff - and in the case of King Rod, a very malleable one.

Perhaps someone from King Rod's throne room can explain to anyone's satisfaction the $1 million giveaway to one of his campaign's fundraisers, and her swift pardon for her conviction for assaulting a police officer in Urbana?

Who was that mystery attorney from out of town who showed up at the 11th hour in her trial, after a string of local attorneys withdrew from the case?

Court records only identify him as Mr. Ballentyne. Who are you, Mr. Ballentyne? How did you get involved? Are you the infamous Mr. Ballentyne from Chicago, who inserts himself into lawsuits around the state for any perceived injustice against an African-American, much like Jesse Jackson? Couldn't get her off of this assault charge using the race card, could you? Who paid you, Mr. Ballentyne? And how did you get King Rod to pardon your client so swiftly?

Blagojevich drawn in again at Rezko trial (Chicago Tribune) - Linking Gov. Rod Blagojevich to pay-to-play politics, the star witness at the corruption trial of Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko said Wednesday that the governor agreed to a plan to cut off state business from a Chicago financier who failed to come up with campaign cash. [King Rod - Yahoo]