From the Tribune:

Former finance official pleads not guilty in fraud

Published June 7, 2007

ILLINOIS -- A former executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to a fraud charge that accuses him of misusing his post to benefit indicted businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko.

Ali D. Ata, 55, was charged last week with aiding and abetting Rezko in a wire-fraud scheme.

Rezko allegedly used bogus information to obtain a loan as part of a sham sale of pizza franchises he owned in Illinois and Wisconsin, prosecutors charged. Ata was accused of writing a letter that falsely made it appear the buyer intended to finance the restaurant deal through the Illinois Finance Authority.