from Sen Durbin's office, March 2, 2009
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter today to President Obama recommending that Patrick Fitzgerald be allowed to remain as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. The Northern District of Illinois covers 18 Illinois counties and has approximately 9 million residents.
“Although the previous Administration has been sharply criticized for politicizing the U.S. Attorney selection process in some instances, there has never been any suggestion that Mr. Fitzgerald's selection was anything other than merit-based. Indeed, Mr. Fitzgerald has exercise a level of integrity and independence that have made him one of the most effective and well respected federal prosecutors in America. I know you share my high regard for Patrick Fitzgerald, and I encourage you to keep him on as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois during your Administration,” Durbin wrote.
A copy of the letter to the President is pasted below and a PDF version is attached.
-30-
March 2, 2009
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As you know, the State of Illinois has been fortunate to have Patrick Fitzgerald as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois since 2001. He has done an extraordinary job.
I am pleased to report that Mr. Fitzgerald is willing to continue his service as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. The Northern District of Illinois covers 18 counties and approximately 9 million residents. Under Mr. Fitzgerald's leadership, the U.S. Attorney's Office has brought successful prosecutions involving public corruption, terrorism, murder and violent crime, organized crime, illegal sale and possession of narcotics and firearms, cybercrime, and money laundering, among other areas. In the civil context, Mr. Fitzgerald's office has collected hundreds of millions of dollars against companies guilty of health care fraud and pregnancy discrimination.
Although the previous Administration has been sharply criticized for politicizing the U.S. Attorney selection process in some instances, there has never been any suggestion that Mr. Fitzgerald's selection was anything other than merit-based. Indeed, Mr. Fitzgerald has exercise a level of integrity and independence that have made him one of the most effective and well respected federal prosecutors in America.
I know you share my high regard for Patrick Fitzgerald, and I encourage you to keep him on as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois during your Administration.cc: Attorney General Eric Holder
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
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