The details are annoying and complicated, but not impossible to follow: In June of 2005, Obama used money from a book advance to purchase a house ("Georgian revival," "four fireplaces") in a ritzy neighborhood on Chicago's South Side for $1.65 million--$300,000 below the asking price. The same day, Tony Rezko's wife, Rita, purchased the neighboring plot for $625,000 dollars--the asking price. Rezko, who has been friendly with Obama since the latter was in law school, was under criminal investigation, a fact that was known, but not widely. Seven months after the purchase, the Obamas approached the Rezkos about buying a piece of Rita's plot to preserve what the Tribune called the "aesthetic balance" of the land--since once upon a time the house and neighboring property were a single package--and the Rezkos agreed. Land was sold, a fence was built (Rezko supposedly paid), and lawns were mowed (Obama paid). Things were neighborly as punch until October 2006, when Rezko was indicted and pleaded not guilty to charges of influence-peddling.