Federal corruption probe reaches Daley

[chiburb]

For the first time in their probe of alleged corruption in Chicago city government, federal investigators today questioned Mayor Richard Daley.
snip
Representatives of the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago spoke with the mayor for two hours, city officials said. City Corporation Counsel Mara Georges and the mayor's personal attorney, John Villa, attended the meeting. Daley said he did not believe he was a target of a federal investigation.

The Hired Truck probe, pursued aggressively under U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald, has resulted in the criminal convictions of 23 individuals to date. Eight others have been charged and are awaiting trial.
snip
"I have challenges in my life, personally and publicly, and I will overcome these challenges. Whether these deal with corruption or other issues, I just want to make this city the best city."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-050826daley,1,3978064.story?coll=chi-news-hed


(Our own Duke Cunningham, solid DINO, about to go down.... Remember, this is the same US Atty. going after the Plame leak. He's tenacious!)

[alarimer]

1. I read it as DELAY

too bad. Corruption is corruption I guess but still too bad Fitzgerald isn't going after Delay.

[MO_Dem]

6. I did the same thing!

I guess we gotta be patient--hopefully we will see Delay in deep doo-doo soon.

[chiburb]

2. More about Daley's atty...

http://www.mcca.com/site/data/lawfirms/Platinum/wc/wcvilla.htm

John Villa focuses on corporate, financial services-related and securities litigation (both civil and criminal), and legal malpractice defense. He has been lead counsel in both trial and appellate proceedings involving the defense of financial institution directors and officers and their financial institutions and the defense of claims against major law firms. He was named to National Law Journal's list of "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" as "the first lawyer that other attorneys and law firms turn to when caught up in the S&L and banking scandals." PLC's Global Counsel Handbooks (2002) gives John Villa its highest rating in Washington, D.C. and describes him as an "exceptional banking, financial and corporate governance litigator." The January 2002 American Lawyer described him as “perhaps the premier malpractice defense lawyer in the nation.” The Washington Post describes Villa as "a litigator who has gained national prominence with a somewhat rare specialty: defending top flight law firms in trouble" and "John Villa of . . . Williams & Connolly the lawyer and firm that lawyers and law firms turn to when they're in trouble" (emphasis in original).

[brentspeak]

3. Daley was the one who sold out Durbin

Durbin chose the wrong words when he spoke about the Gitmo interrogation abuses, but it was clear what he meant and what he didn't mean. Daley added his voice to the GOP chorus demanding for a Durbin "apology", stabbing Durbin in the back.

[chiburb]

4. Yep. And when Bush was here to promote Hastert's pork...

He specifically praised Daley. This is why I don't hold out much hope for Fitz to be reappointed.
He's toast.

[Wilber_Stool]

5. Hizzoner.

Da Mayor.