CHICAGO A prominent political fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been found guilty of fraud and money laundering.

But the jury's mixed verdict acquitted Antoin "Tony" Rezko of some of the most serious charges against him, including attempted extortion. He has been accused of scheming to get bribes from businesses seeking state contracts.

The jury found Rezko guilty of 16 of 24 counts Wednesday after a nine-week trial.

Rezko has known Obama since he entered politics and was involved in a 2005 real estate deal with the Democratic presidential candidate, although testimony barely touched on their relationship. Most of the focus was on shakedowns prosecutors say Rezko arranged when he was a top adviser to Blagojevich.

Neither Blagojevich nor Obama has been accused of wrongdoing.

First Published June 4, 2008, 9:28 p.m.