Rich Miller posts a “this just in” covering some goings on with “Public Official A“:

In or about July 2003, Rezko asked the defendant to make an additional $50,000 contribution to the campaign of Public Official A. The defendant agreed to contribute the same amount as he had previously, namely $25,000. The defendant made this contribution on or about July 25, 2005 by check payable to Public Official A’s campaign. The defendant gave this check to Rezko. Thereafter, the defendant had a conversation with Public Official A at a large fund-raising event at Navy Pier.

During this conversation, Public Official A told defendant that he had been a good supporter, indicated that Public Official A was aware that the defendant had made another substantial donation to Public Official A’s campaign, and told the defendant that Public Official A understood that the defendant would be joining Public Official A’s administration. The defendant responded that he was considering taking a position, and Public Official A stated that it had better be a job where the defendant could make some money.

(emphasis original to Rich)

Holy crap what a selfish, maniacal prick “Public Official A” is.

The implications are obvious: US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald now has at least one piece of very direct, very compelling evidence that “Public Official A” was literally providing state jobs in recognition of campaign contributions.

With the guilty plea of Ali Ata, a significant donor to POA’s campaign fund and subsequently the recipient of a job in POA’s administration, US Atty Fitzgerald has 1 of the 3 players involved in just that one case.

The other players are Antoin Rezko, on trial now, and Public Official A.

Should Rezko be found guilty, US Atty Fitzgerald will very likely offer a reduced jail sentence in exchange for testimony against Public Official A — and Fitz will have 2 of the 3 players involved as he puts the 3rd, Public Official A, on trial.