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The famous U.S. attorney, called “a prosecutor’s of prosecutor” by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, and described as a person who served the American people “with the utmost integrity and a steadfast commitment to the cause of justice,” has announced he’s leaving the game effective June 30.
Fitzgerald is a man who shook the knees of the corrupt and powerful in Washington. Karl Rove, the most powerful White House aide of former President George W. Bush, wrote in his book “Courage and Consequence” that he wept with joy when he learnt that Fitzgerald would not be prosecuting him for his role in a scandal. Fitzgerald’s track-record includes investigations of the former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, a great number of CIA leaks, the prosecution of two consecutive Illinois governors, thousands of criminal cases, organized crime and mafia bosses, supporters of terrorism, and former Chicago officials who rigged recruitments by the city.
Fitzgerald is the longest-serving U.S. attorney in the history of Chicago and has always been criticized by politicians for taking a hard line on political corruption. He was the lead counsel in the 2007 trial of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, who was the chief of staff and national security adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney. Fitzgerald secured Libby’s conviction on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Under his leadership, the media baron Conrad Black was also convicted.
Andy Shaw, president and CEO of the Better Government Association said Fitzgerald was “in a class of his own” because he did not carry any personal political agenda. In quick succession he floored and convicted, first the Republican governor, George Ryan, and then the Democratic governor, Rod Blagojevich. “He will be a tough act to follow – that’s the understatement of the day … he brought a level of commitment and passion and skill to that job that elevated it to a new level,” added Shaw.
