Campaign donation has links to scandal.(News)

0 Comments | Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), February, 2006 | by Calandriello, Erin

Byline: Erin Calandriello Daily Herald Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD - Of the millions donated to Illinois politicians, it's a mere $5,000. But this cash donated to a Democrat hoping to become Illinois' treasurer comes with the makings of a TV murder mystery: It's from a Florida casino fleet owner whose uncle was gunned down in an execution-style slaying after selling the gambling fleet to a group that included indicted Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

What's more, the candidate, Alexi Giannoulias of Chicago, happens to own a stake in a Chicago bank where the donor owes $4.8 million. Giannoulias says there's nothing wrong with the donation - it's simply a gift from a fellow Greek. The donation came from Spiros Naos in December. Naos owns SunCruz...