Already the senator has had to admit to poor judgment in a personal transaction involving his financial patron. It arose during Obama's purchase of his current house.
In 2005, after winning his U.S. Senate seat, Obama bought a Hyde Park home for $1.65 million. But there was a glitch. The seller also wanted to sell an adjoining strip of vacant land, according to an account in the Chicago Tribune, which first disclosed details of the transaction.
Rezko's wife, Rita, stepped in to buy it. The Rezkos later sold back a 10-foot portion of that strip to the Obamas, and they have since transferred the remaining strip to their attorney.
Obama, who appears to have benefited from the odd transaction, concedes his role in it was "boneheaded."
Rezko remains part of the history that is likely to trail Obama into the presidential campaign. His federal trial is scheduled to begin in February, during the opening rounds of the 2008 Democratic primary season.
dan.morain@latimes.com
