CIA leak prosecutor back on the hunt

[BeatleBoot]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080222/ap_on_re_us/fitzgerald_profile;_ylt=Ai3tNMJja9g4oBcVCw_192FvzwcF

CIA leak prosecutor back on the hunt

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During the last six years, U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald — no relation to the former senator — has sent to federal prison one former governor, Chicago's city clerk, corrupt lobbyists, political fundraisers, influence peddlers and precinct captains.

"Nobody walked away, nobody beat the rap," said Jay Stewart, executive director of Chicago's Better Government Association, which last fall named the fast-talking, 47-year-old Fitzgerald its man of the year.

Fitzgerald is the same federal prosecutor who led Washington's CIA leak investigation, which ensnared Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby only escaped going to the federal pen when President Bush commuted his 2 1/2-year sentence for perjury, obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI.

These days, Fitzgerald is back in his Chicago office, and some members of Illinois' political elite are feeling the heat.

A major trial due to get under way March 3 will focus on an alleged effort to shake down money from management firms seeking business from the $30 billion fund that pays the pensions of downstate and suburban teachers.

The trial could be explosive because the defendant — real estate and fast food entrepreneur Antoin "Tony" Rezko — was a key contributor to Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Sen. Barack Obama.

When the curtain goes up, jurors won't see or hear from Fitzgerald.

More likely he'll be sitting quietly among the spectators, watching as prosecutors on his staff grill the witnesses and deliver the oratory.
"He brings a lot of passion and commitment to the job," said Zachary T. Fardon, a former federal prosecutor under Fitzgerald who was part of the team that won a conviction against former Gov. George Ryan.

Ryan, convicted of doling out leases and contracts to cronies and favorite lobbyists, is serving a 6 1/2-year racketeering sentence.

Fitzgerald, the son of a New York City doorman, worked his way through college and was once described as "Eliot Ness with a Harvard law degree."

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[elizfeelinggreat]

1. that's not nice

... getting our hopes up.

He's back but not hunting or prosecuting any Bush administration CIA leakers. :(

[BeFree]

2. Of course not

Bushco rules and Fitz drools. He quit - if he ever was hunting - bushco and now it's all down the memory hole, just like bushco wanted. Screw Fitz.