Report: Gutierrez Got Townhouse Upgrades From Rezko
Rep. Luis Gutierrez told the FBI that he received free upgrades on a Chicago townhome from political fundraiser Tony Rezko, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday.
The Illinois Democrat acknowledged receiving the perks — including an additional bathroom and upgraded carpeting — in a 2008 interview with FBI agents that has not previously been made public, the Sun-Times reported.
Gutierrez had denied receiving special treatment in his purchase of the Chicago-area home in a 2006 interview with the Sun-Times, stating at the time: “I walked in with my wife — as any other consumer could have — and purchased the unit at the listed price, with no considerations.”
Gutierrez said at that time that he had not discussed the purchase with Rezko personally.
But in his 2008 interview with the FBI, Gutierrez said that he and his spouse had dinner with Rezko and his wife, at which time Gutierrez requested the upgrades, according to the Sun-Times.
Gutierrez declined to comment to the Sun-Times, but his spokesman denied any wrongdoing.
“The congressman never received any free ‘upgrades’ — or anything else for free — on his home at River Walk, and certainly never told anyone that he did. Any report that he did is completely false,” Gutierrez spokesman Douglas Rivlin told the Sun-Times.
Gutierrez sold the home in 2006 for a profit.
Rezko, a Chicago real estate developer, was convicted of fraud and money laundering in 2008.