A few days after the true cost of Rod Blagojevich‘s pricey wardrobe was laid out by an expert witness from the IRS, Blagojevich bounded off the elevator onto the 25th floor of the Dirksen Federal Building Tuesday morning and asked the assembled media, “How’s the suit?â€
Blagojevich’s federal corruption trial continued after the July 4th holiday with news a juror had been dismissed. Prior to the testimony, Judge James Zagel announced that juror 115, a white, middle-aged woman, was released because of a critical illness of a family member.
The proceedings resumed with more testimony relating to Tony Rezko’s former company, Rezmar.
Blagojevich attorney Michael Gillsepie began the day by finishing up his cross-examination of former Rezmar consultant Michael Winter, who acknowledged that he couldn’t remember how much he was paid.
Next up was Marianne Piazzi, a residential real estate agent who was involved with the 2003 Rezmar project St. John’s Park, a group of 50 to 70 townhomes. Patti Blagojevich received a commission through the sale of unit No. 58, at 1069 W. Chestnut*, though Piazzi had an exclusive contract with Rezmar for that particular unit, which sold for approximately $500,000. The government next called FBI Special Agent Jane Ferguson, who is testifying about a $14,369 broker’s commission check that had been paid to Patti Blagojevich’s River Realty on Oct. 27, 2003.
*The original post mistakenly identified the address as 1059 W. Chestnut.