General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPatrick Fitzgerald Steps Down As US Attorney In Chicago
(05-23) 10:04 PDT Chicago (AP) --
Patrick Fitzgerald, one of the most feared U.S. attorneys in the nation and the architect of corruption convictions against two Illinois governors and a former vice presidential aide, announced through his office Wednesday that he is stepping down at the end of next month.
As the U.S. attorney in Chicago, Fitzgerald has overseen thousands of criminal prosecutions and high-profile cases against Illinois governors Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan, former Vice President Dick Cheney's top aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby and media mogul Conrad Black. He took on public corruption, international terrorism, corporate fraud and organized crime.
Fitzgerald has held the post for the Northern District of Illinois for more than a decade. His office announced Wednesday that he's stepping down effective June 30.
A statement from his office gave no reason for his decision to leave the presidentially appointed post he has held since Sept. 1, 2001. It said he did not immediately have any future employment plans and would take the summer off before considering other job possibilities.
MORE...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/05/23/national/a093357D63.DTL
KansDem
(28,498 posts)From 2007--
Jurors convict Libby on four of five charges
Cheneys ex-aide faces jail time in CIA leak case; sentencing set for June
WASHINGTON Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was convicted Tuesday of lying and obstructing a leak investigation that reached into the highest levels of the Bush administration.
Libby is the highest-ranking White House official to be convicted of a felony since the Iran-Contra scandal of the mid-1980s. The case brought new attention to the Bush administration's much-criticized handling of weapons of mass destruction intelligence in the run-up to the Iraq war.
The verdict culminated a nearly four-year investigation into how CIA official Valerie Plame's name was leaked to reporters in 2003. The trial revealed that top members of the administration were eager to discredit Plame's husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, who accused the administration of doctoring prewar intelligence on Iraq.
Libby, who was once Cheney's most trusted adviser and an assistant to President Bush, was expressionless as the jury verdict was announced on the 10th day of deliberations. His wife, Harriet Grant, choked out a sob and lowered her head.
Libby could face up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced June 5 but under federal sentencing guidelines is likely to face far less. Defense attorneys immediately promised to ask for a new trial or appeal the conviction.
Cheney said late Tuesday he was disappointed with the verdict.
--more--
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17479718
leveymg
(36,418 posts)Wonder what Fitz has on his mind?