Posted on 11/21/2008 2:47:27 PM PST by STARWISE
Sen. Dick Durbin said Friday he will recommend another term for corruption-busting federal prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald if he wants to stay on as Chicago's U.S. attorney.
Durbin told a news conference that he first wants to sit down with the city's top federal prosecutor and ask him what he wants in the future.
Asked if he would recommend that President-elect Barack Obama renominate Fitzgerald, Durbin said: "Yes."
"I think he has done an extraordinary job as U.S. attorney; I have the greatest confidence in him," Durbin said. "I want to do what he wants to do, I want to support what he wants to do and I won't presume what that is."
Fitzgerald has aggressively prosecuted state and city officials for corruption. The previous governor, George Ryan, is currently serving a 6{-year term for racketeering, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration is under investigation.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Excerpt:
For the past seven years, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has time and again put the Chicago machine through the prosecutorial cleaners.
Come next week, a product of the Windy City's political culture may be on his way to the White House. Now would be a good time to know if a President Obama would keep the pressure on his friends back home.
One of the first Obama political boosters, Tony Rezko, is at the center of the state's highest profile corruption case. Recall that in June the Chicago real-estate developer and Democratic fundraiser was convicted on 16 counts of influence peddling.
His sentencing was delayed this month to let Mr. Rezko "engage in discussions" with prosecutors. In other words, Mr. Fitzgerald wants him to spill the beans on Illinois corruption, possibly up to Governor Rod Blagojevich, perhaps in return for a shorter prison term.
(Mr. Rezko still faces trial in Chicago in a $10 million business fraud case, as well in Nevada over unpaid casino-gambling debts.)
The Blagojevich administration has been under investigation for years. Mr. Rezko, who raised money for the Governor, solicited $7 million in kickbacks from private firms in exchange for steering state contracts their way.
Prosecutors are now interested in toll highway vendor contracts granted by the administration with Mr. Rezko's involvement. They also are looking into who paid for the renovations of the Blagojevich home in Chicago; Mr. Rezko's defunct construction company was the contractor on the project.
Meantime, the Governor's approval ratings have sunk to 13%, and Democrats in the state House may move to impeach him.
~~~
4 months after trial, Rezko is still in the same lousy lockup conditions he complained about
Despite scuttlebutt of him cutting a deal, his stay in solitary confinement remains constant
..expect Rezko to fall ill.
Impeach Blagojevich, if only.....
Thoughts?
My take: if Durbin likes him it can’t be good.
I’ve heard from some that he’s a fearless prosecutor, but I’ve noticed he’s spent a lot more time sending Republicans to jail than Democrats. And his kangaroo-court persecution of Scooter Libby was disgusting.
It’s not surprising that Dick Durbin wants to keep him on.
These guys throw an occasional gangster like Tony Rezko off the back of the sleigh to appease the wolves, but it’s unlikely that anyone is going to touch Mayor Daley or Hussein Obama. Blagojevitch screwed up, and they decided to sacrifice him, too. But the Machine is safe enough with Fitz in charge.
Rezko better be careful who he squeals on. But I’m sure Fitz will see to that.
Fitz is toast. He and all the rest of the U.S. Attorneys will be dismissed and replaced.
Either that or Fitz has dirt on him.
Turbin Durbin just assured the World, the Chicago Mob and RAT Party, and Rezko that come January 20th, first thing, Fitzgerald is water over the damn, and things are back to normal:-)
You mean like key witness for the prosecution against Clinton,James MacDougal?
No wonder the Obamunists want Clintonoids on the payroll.
They know how to Jimmy Hoffa the opposition—and as more and more is discovered about the Chicago Don Barryzini and his Outfit,the more this talent will be invaluable.
Remember,Chicago was Al Capone’s home and Hot Springs Arkansas his favorite vacation spot.So Barrack and Bill have at least ONE thing in common.
He’s probably the best money can buy!
I’m somewhat surprised by this. Perhaps Durbin is trying to look moderate and reasonable.
Dickbrain Durbin, the Pillsbury Doughboy, wants to get on Fitzgerald’s good side for fear Patrick will go after him soon.
SCUMBAG!!!
Ironically, the ONLY one being "partisan" was them because they threw constant spewed hatred and threw dirt on the guy because he happened to prosecute ONE person on the federal level (Scooter Libby) who had "R" next to his name. All the Fitzgerald haters sounded like a bunch of Ken Starr bashing Clintonites c. 1998. For shame. Incredibily, these freepers cited Fitzgerald's record of going after ultra-ultra-leftist scumbag RINO George Ryan's adminstration as "proof" that Fitz was "partisan" and anti-Republican, even though Ryan was a hero to the left. (And let's just forget that "partisan Democrat" Fitz was appointed by a Republican president on the recommendation of a conservative Republican Senator)
I personally think Durbin's just trying to sound nice and compliment Fitzgerald here so it will look the Dems aren't dumping Fitzgerald for "personal" reasons later on, but I fully expect Obama will dismiss Fitz within 5 monthes and the Fitzgerald haters on FR will finally get their wish. He certainly won't get to be "A.G. in the new Democrat adminstration" or any smear the Fitzgerald haters threw at him. In fact, since he went after Tony Rezko, Obama probably wishes he could have Fitz deported out of the country.
Well, the Fitzgerald haters on this board can take pleasure in the fact "partisan" Fitzgerald is gone. Maybe they can clink glasses together and celebrate with Mayor Daley and Emil Jones. Funny how every crooked Democrat in Illinois hates "partisan Democrat" Patrick Fitzgerald.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.