Special counsel appointment

Since his appointment in U.S.
Attorney in 2001, Patrick Fitzgerald has generated a bunch of
indictments and investigation against corrupt politicians of both
political persuasions. Right now, he prosecuting our former governor for selling favors in the infamous license for bribes scandal.

Here is a video of Fitz announcing the indictment of George Ryan. And the Chicago
Tribune has this list of Fitzgerald-related articles and commentary.

Now, he’s the special counsel to head the Justice Department’s investigation of what some say is the unauthorized disclosure of an undercover CIA officer’s identity.

The appointment guarantees that there will be a real investigation. Not that the people who clamored for an investigation will be satisfied if the investigation ends without indictments. This is a political investigation, after all.

The bad news for Illinois is that it takes Fitzgerald away from investigating crime in Illinois. The article doesn’t make clear whether Fitzgerald will be stepping down as U.S. Attorney — even temporarily — during his tour of duty in Washington.

Even if he keeps his job in Chicago, it means that much less time and
energy devoted to fighting corruption in the most politically corrupt state in the nation.

Which is probably why the Republicans wanted him named special council in the first place.

As an honest investigator, he will might very well find nothing worthy of prosecution. And, the appointment has the added benefit of hampering his investigation into real crimes being committed by Illinois Republicans.

If there are no indictments, the Democrats will scream for his head,
which would please House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Rep. Ray LaHood to no end. They are no fans of either Patrick Fitzgerald or Ill. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (no relation) who recommended him. Sen. Fitzgerald’s problem is that he stands for what Republicans say they are for: Less spending and lower taxes. He’s not running for reelection, but Jeff Trigg wants to draft him for the Libertarian Party.

It could all backfire though. If Fitz (the prosecutor, not the senator) handles the case properly — and if there was a violation of the law and a prosecution — Fitzgerald’s stature rises. Which is bad news for all the corrupt pols in Illinois.

The GOP and the Dems have a pretty good racket going that keeps them in power and sharing the wealth. They can’t stand having a prosecutor who will throw pols from either party into the clink.

UPDATE: The Illinois Leader also has tons of links to articles about Illinois corruption.