AP: Obama gives away money tied to donor (more today)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_el_pr/obama_rezko_money;_ylt=AkEH2pHaPiWkqu864Kw4hTNp24cA

Obama gives away money tied to donor

By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer 26 minutes ago

WASHINGOTN - Barack Obama is giving to charity more than $70,000 in contributions linked to an indicted Chicago businessman whose past connections to the Democratic presidential candidate have created a distraction and raised questions about his judgment.

The campaign announced the decision to shed the money Tuesday evening, saying it was the result of a further review of contributions related to Antoin Rezko, a real estate developer and fast-food magnate who has been a long time political figure in Chicago, Obama's hometown.

Overall, the campaign has now given to charity nearly $150,000 in contributions received by Obama's House, Senate and presidential campaigns that came from Rezko, his employees, his associates and his family.

Obama's relationship with Rezko came under greater scrutiny this week after prosecutors disclosed Rezko received $3.5 million from an Iraqi billionaire while claiming to be broke. He was jailed on Monday and a federal judge on Tuesday refused to reinstate his bond.

Not like Hillary Clinton who gave $500,000 back before the press got win of it.