Latest coverage: The William Cellini Trial
Tribune coverage of the 2011 trial of one of Illinois government's most powerful insiders.
January 25, 2012
Judge rejects new trial for Cellini
A federal judge on Tuesday declined to grant a new trial for William Cellini, ruling that a juror's failure to disclose her criminal background during jury selection was not deliberate and did not taint the Springfield power broker's trial.
7:03 PM AKST, January 20, 2012
Judge to rule on juror
A federal judge will rule next week after hearing lawyers on Friday debate whether William Cellini deserves a new trial because of a juror who withheld her criminal background.
December 14, 2011
Juror had little to say
Tribune reporter Annie Sweeney recounts her near-interview with Cellini jury member on undisclosed felonies issue.
December 10, 2011
Tribune subpoenaed over Cellini juror
The Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times have been subpoenaed by attorneys for William Cellini, who are seeking notes, tape recordings and other documents related to post-trial interviews with one of the jurors who convicted the Springfield insider.
December 2, 2011
Judge lays groundwork for hearing in Cellini-juror case
Defense, prosecution asked to submit questions for potential witnesses.
11:46 AM AKST, November 23, 2011
Cellini to get hearing on request for new trial over juror's felonies
A federal judge today called for an evidentiary hearing into whether Springfield power broker William Cellini deserves a new trial because a juror apparently lied about her criminal background during jury selection.
3:50 PM AKST, November 23, 2011
Juror may be questioned about not disclosing criminal past
A federal judge on Wednesday called for an evidentiary hearing into whether William Cellini deserves a new trial because a juror apparently lied about her criminal background during jury selection.
4:12 AM AKST, November 18, 2011
Feds argue against need for new trial
In a filing late Thursday, federal prosecutors argued against a new trial for William Cellini amid revelations that a juror who helped convict him earlier this month apparently concealed her felony criminal background during jury selection.
November 12, 2011
With no background checks for jurors, Cellini conviction shaky
Juror apparently hid felony record; second now trial possible.
8:02 PM AKST, November 11, 2011
Cellini's lawyer cites juror's felony record in seeking mistrial
Woman allegedly concealed 2 convictions during jury selection.
12:47 PM AKST, November 11, 2011
Juror appears to have hidden two felony convictions, Tribune finds
Court officials acknowledge that information revealed by the Tribune appears to show that a member of the federal jury that William Cellini concealed two felony convictions.
November 2, 2011
Insider Cellini convicted on corruption charges
William Cellini was convicted Tuesday for joining a conspiracy scheme that demanded campaign cash for access. Video: U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald reacts to verdict.
5:00 PM AKDT, November 1, 2011
Cellini jurors: 'None of us took it lightly'
Five of the jurors who convicted Illinois power broker William Cellini said very little about how they reached their decision, but they were moved by its weight.
1:06 PM AKDT, October 26, 2011
Cellini jury sent home early while lawyers discuss panel's first question
The federal jury weighing the fate of Springfield power broker William Cellini was sent home early today so lawyers could try to resolve one of the first written questions submitted by the panel on its initial day of deliberations.
11:16 AM AKDT, October 25, 2011
Defense tells jurors in Cellini trial that key prosecution witness 'is a whack job'
In closing arguments today, federal prosecutors drove home their assertion that Illinois powerbroker William Cellini, on trial on charges of fraud and attempted extortion, did not innocently pass a message to a Hollywood producer and old friend that he needed to make a political donation in order to keep lucrative state business.
October 22, 2011
Cellini won't testify in his extortion trial, attorney says
Power broker's federal corruption case expected to go to jury next week.
October 21, 2011
Hollywood producer testifies of being strong-armed for campaign contribution
Cellini said investor "had to deal with" Blagojevich advisers, court is told
6:24 PM AKDT, October 19, 2011
Producer sets stage for details of shakedown
Springfield power broker William Cellini and Hollywood producer Thomas Rosenberg, a Chicago real estate mogul who made it big in Hollywood, often crossed paths and shared much in common over the years.
October 19, 2011
Cellini's lawyers attack credibility of witness
Attorneys for Springfield power broker William Cellini, on trial for attempted extortion, spent much of Tuesday trying to suggest to the jury that the prosecution's case hinges on the interpretations of a star government witness burdened by a deeply troubled past.
October 14, 2011
First wiretaps played
For days, jurors have heard how Springfield power broker William Cellini's formidable reach and connections in Illinois politics spanned the decades and earned him millions of dollars.
6:25 PM AKDT, October 12, 2011
Insider turned star witness tells of deals made with Cellini
Stuart Levine, a flawed political insider whose cooperation helped take down the Blagojevich administration, returned to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Wednesday to tell of more backroom criminal deals.
8:00 PM AKDT, October 11, 2011
Cellini trial continues
A small but key group of people involved in the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System had gathered for a meeting in a Chicago office building in February 2004.
6:30 PM AKDT, October 6, 2011
Prosecutors focus on Cellini's connections
Prosecutors stepped back in time Thursday at the federal trial of William Cellini to show how they believe the political insider for years cozied up to Illinois governors and wielded influence with key decision-makers in state government.
October 6, 2011
Prosecutor: Cellini in 'eyes wide open'
After listening to a federal prosecutor lay out how power broker William Cellini allegedly plotted to extort campaign cash from a Hollywood producer, defense attorney Dan Webb put a different spin on the story.
1:04 AM AKDT, October 3, 2011
Last Blagojevich-linked trial set to begin today
The last scheduled trial arising from the pay-to-play scandal that toppled former Gov. Rod Blagojevich begins today in Chicago's federal courthouse, this time with a longtime Springfield power broker on the hot seat.
September 24, 2011
Longtime power broker faces trial in Blagojevich scandal
William Cellini will be the last scheduled corruption trial of a major player arising from the scandal that brought down former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and many of his top aides.
September 8, 2011
Cellini pressed pension head to hire connected firms, U.S. alleges
In 1998, Keith Bozarth was just weeks into his job overseeing the state pension system for Illinois teachers when he agreed to a meeting at the Renaissance Hotel in Springfield.
4:49 AM AKDT, September 7, 2011
Prosecutors outline case against power broker Cellini
Weeks before longtime state power broker William Cellini is set to stand trial, federal prosecutors detailed evidence they have against him, including statements he allegedly made about what to do if law enforcement closed in and about his decades of navigating Illinois politics.
November 15, 2008
Cellini denies extortion role
William Cellini straightened his tie as he stepped toward a federal judge Friday during his first court appearance on charges of shaking down a Hollywood producer whose investment firm was seeking state business.
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