Letters of Support

(Fox News) - Barack Obama's hometown newspaper is reporting that he wrote letters to city and state officials nine years ago supporting political patron Tony Rezko's efforts to build apartments for senior citizens.

The Chicago Sun-Times writes the letters appear to contradict a statement last December where Obama said: "I've never done any favors for him."

Rezko was indicted last fall on federal charges that he demanded kickbacks from companies seeking state business.

Obama has admitted to what he called a "boneheaded" real estate deal with Rezko — calling it a "mistake."

And Rezko has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Obama's election efforts.

Obama's campaign press secretary says the Rezko letters were written in order to benefit the people who would live in the apartments Rezko sought to build.