Question of the day
Friday, Feb 24, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Another politician indicted – Where’s Lisa Madigan?
CHICAGO - In light of yesterday’s federal indictment of Democrat Cook County Commissioner William Beavers, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady is questioning why Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has not undertaken any significant public corruption investigations in her nine years in office, despite her own criticism during her 2002 election campaign of the Attorney General’s office for not investigating allegations of public corruption at the time.
Beavers was indicted yesterday on federal tax charges for allegedly failing to pay taxes on campaign funds converted to personal use and using his county expense account for personal purposes.
Even though Commissioner Beavers’ offices are across the street from the Illinois Attorney General’s office, Lisa Madigan, daughter of powerful Democrat House Speaker and Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Mike Madigan, apparently missed this one as she has every other instance of public corruption in the state of Illinois during her tenure.
“It is mind boggling that in a state where the last two governors stand convicted of corruption, that ranks as the third most corrupt state in the country and is home to Chicago, ranked as the most corrupt city in the country that our chief law enforcement officer has yet to undertake any significant public corruption investigations in her nearly 10 years in office despite her campaign rhetoric that helped her get elected in the first place,” said Brady.
* The Question: Is this a fair attack on AG Madigan? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please. Thanks.
- the Other Anonymous - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:27 am:
It’s an unfair attack because the Illinois Attorney General is not the chief prosecutor for the state of Illinois. The AG is the state’s general counsel, primarily charged with defending the state in lawsuits against it and providing legal advice to the state.
Grossly unfair. It’s not even clear that the AG would have authority to investigate a federal income tax violation.
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:29 am:
No, in this case it isn’t fair. It was a federal tax case.
- Rarely Posts - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:29 am:
It’s pretty clear that she doesn’t want to upset the status quo in Illinois, It’s much easier to go after politically unpopular targets (by piggy-backing on others’ work) like the “investigation” of mortgage lenders. In fairness, though, federal tax evasion is certainly not in her jurisdiction.
- earl - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:30 am:
Can’t recall any IL AG pushing anti corruption grand juries.The acceptance of “Tolerable” corruption is this state’s SOP.If the AG joined Fitzgerald,most large scale[Chicago,Springffield etc.]political assemblies would be empty.On second thought,that might not be a bad idea.
- I'm Just Saying - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:31 am:
More Grand Standing by Pat Brady, this is why the Illinois GOP is so darn successful
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:32 am:
I am not sure … so correct me … Federal Income Tax evasion … I am sure … still a bit confused … a federal law being broken.
Now, the Illinois Attorney General, work with me on this, if the chief law inforcement officer for Illinois.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the US (United States, to keep things clear) Attorney looks to indict for federal cases and federal laws broken.
Does Federal Tax evasion fall under Illinois law, or Federal law?
Lisa is wrongly called out on Beavers. All the “yes” votes seem confused, I guess.
- Shock & Awww(e) - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:33 am:
Valid. She made it a campaign issue but isn’t following through.
There’s a great deal of corruption in Illinois, but the this lack of action makes the A.G. look either blind or willfully ignorant of it.
LM done some good things, but on this issue it’s a fair criticism.
- Bigtwitch - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:36 am:
What the other said. The AGs primary authority in criminal matters is representing the state in the Supreme Court and assisting State,s Attorneys when requested. There is some authority for a state wide grand jury but the enabling statute holes that so I am not sure if any AG has used it.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:36 am:
From a Press Release:
ILGOP CALLS ON IL ATTY. GENERAL TO ENFORCE FLORIDA LAWS IN MISSORI
- Ace Matson - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:36 am:
Illinois’ Attorney General is not a criminal prosecutor - that function is left to the various State’s Attorneys in each county. AG can assist local SAs with criminal cases, but this is a very limited power. Attack is unfair; yet her earlier criticism was equally unfair.
- Ray del Camino - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:38 am:
As the regulars have pointed out, the feds got Beavers on federal charges. This is like criticizing the National Guard for not handing out speeding tickets.
But what do you expect from Pat Brady? Maybe he should work on recruiting and fielding and supporting good candidates. Isn’t that in HIS jurisdiction? Geez.
- Sue - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:39 am:
yea- right- Lisa Madigan going after a popular Black politician- what planet are we on today?
- Team Sleep - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:40 am:
I answered yes - with a caveat.
First, I remember Blago and his staffers hammering Jim Ryan for not aggressively pursuing George Ryan. Turnabout is fair play - think about all of the public officials who have been indicted since Lisa was sworn in as AG. If she took in info and tips about Mr. Beavers and was asked not to pursue the matter or sat on her hands, shame on her.
However - and here is my caveat - if Eric Holder and Patrick Fitzgerald told Lisa and her staff to NOT pursue charges against Mr. Beavers, the criticism levied against her is not warranted. If the feds close in on a suspect who has also committed local or state crimes (i.e. federal and state/local drug crimes/trafficking), it’s not uncommon for the FBI, DEA, ATF, etc. to call off the local sheriff, state police or AG in a given state. The feds do NOT want anyone in their way when investigating a case and determining whether to charge a suspect. If Fitzmas set up shot and took over the case, Lisa had no choice but to stand down.
- chi - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:44 am:
For those of you that think this was some sort of failure on the AG’s part, what statute do you propose she could have used to prosecute him? If your criticism is more general (i.e., she has not prosecuted any public corruption cases), again, what legal means do you propose she uses?
- Sue - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:47 am:
Hey Chi- someone who fails to under report federal income certainly doesn’t file accurate illinois tax returns- How about state tax evasion
- Anonymouse - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:47 am:
The state of Illinois does not have rackateering, wirefrud or similar statutes that would allow for a prosecution. The most they could be charged with is theft or official misconduct or obstruction of justice. All are minor felonies and have minor punishments. The State also has the most restrictive wiretapping laws of all the states and the feds because our politicians want it that way so that we can’t record them.
The federal statutes have, in effect, prempted the ability of Lisa Madigan or any State’s Attorney to prosecute corruption.
- TwoFeetThick - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:47 am:
I voted yes but that was a knee-jerk reaction. The comments have swayed me otherwise. Let the record reflect that it was my intention to vote no.
- Downstate Illinois - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:48 am:
No Team Sleep, if state laws were broken and the local state’s attorney wasn’t investigating or prosecuting, then the AG should be stepping in. State and local prosecutors used to convene grand juries far more frequently than they seem to do today when it comes to public corruption. If there are laws that prevent the AG from doing so, then maybe the AG ought to be out front asking lawmakers to change those laws.
Keep in mind it was a Republican AG that prosecuted a Republican Governor for corruption back in the 20s. Granted he was unsuccessful but that was due to jury tampering and outright bribery by the defense.
It is not the FBI’s job to investigate cases of local corruption. Those are state laws being violated.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:48 am:
This just in …
PAT BRADY “WASN’T PRESENT THE DAY THEY TAUGHT ‘LAW’ IN LAW SCHOOL” - UNIV. OF WISCONSON LAW SCHOOL SAYS
- Ron Gorn - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:49 am:
I believe when Al Capone was indicted & prosecuted for tax evasion it was the Feds who investigated & persued the crime.
I dont believe that Lisa would turn her back on any corruption what so ever ! She is a competent AG and this attack is just that an attack ! If the Feds tell you that they are working a case they expect professional courtesy in being the agency that will see the case through.
Im sure Lisa knew this case was being investigated or may have even tipped it off to the Feds since they have many more resources. Here professionalism in allowing the Feds to do their job without her being the “look at me” on television like say, Tom Dart, theres a perfect example that every time they make an arrest that the CPD makes 10 times a day he is pounding his chest in front of the television cameras !!
I also believe it is the Feds who have the resources and access to tax files.
This is an attack because Mr. Madigan last week said that Pat Brady must not have a whole lot going on in his life then worry about him, well he must not because he should brush up on his history and research who prosecutes Tax Evasion crimes.
Pat Brady, you open your mouth and you spew non sense irresponsible comments, people like you are just ignorant or stupid ! I think your both !
- Anonymouse - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:52 am:
That would be racketeering, wire fraud, and preempted. Sorry about the failure to proofread.
- Just Observing - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:53 am:
It’s a baseless attack on L. Madigan. First, as everyone else has pointed out, this is a federal, not a state issue. But let’s say Beavers falsified state tax returns — it would be incumbent on the Illinois Dept. of Revenue to raise a red flag and then if they believe the filings to be falsified, bring the case to Lisa Madigan or whoever they typically bring these sort of cases to. But to argue that Lisa Madigan should be randomly pulling tax returns of politicians in the hope of catching them cheating on their taxes is ludicrous.
- CircularFiringSquad - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 11:57 am:
Wow this is the same “bleep” we heard this morning from wing nut Dan Proft….was the Capt Fax out at a wing nut talking points camporee?
We all assumed he had just downed to much silly sauce after his record breaking sell out!
Meanwhile it might be fair to nut state officials don’t prosecute federal tax evasion charges.
Does Gags Brady want to bestown that power on state AGs?
We think it also fair for Gags Brady to comment on when his pal the USA will ever acknowledge Blagoof could have been in prison about three years ago if he had not big footed the AG on the “epidemic of hiring fraud” to use his words.
To be more current perhaps some might want to wonder when our lad Paddy will get some clues on the $1.2 BILLION CME let MF GLobal lose.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:03 pm:
===We all assumed he had just downed to much silly sauce after his record breaking sell out!===
Just for the record, one glass of red wine and one Sambuca. With dinner.
- Shock & Awww(e) - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:06 pm:
Prosecutions of this nature are typically spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney or State’s Attorney. LM has, however, made it a campaign issue and continues making it a featured talking point.
She’s clearly not as helpless on this matter as some commenters indicate, as the purview of her office and her own acknowledgments display:
- From the Attorney General website: “In addition, specialized bureaus within the Criminal Enforcement Division handle a variety of cases that do not fall within the traditional scope of a local prosecution office such as complex financial cases, public corruption matters…”
- From lisamadigan.org: an entire page dedicated to “battling public corruption” at http://www.lisamadigan.org/Issues/item/2010-05-battling-public-corruption-and-unethical-conduct
- From the NAAG: “In her continued efforts to crack down on public corruption and government misconduct, Madigan also created a Public Integrity Unit to investigate fraud, waste and abuse.”
I like her and think she’s done some excellent work for the people of Illinois.
Unfortunately, she appears a bit timid or hypocritical in pursuing this particular issue.
- Way South of the Border - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:07 pm:
She got former state rep Patricia Baily convicted for election fraud and perjury. She removed the corrupt school superintendent Charles Flowers from office. Their crimes fell under the purview of her office and so she went after them.
The GOP is trying to stoke fury toward the hardware store for not selling bread. Works nicely for people who like to be aggrieved.
- reflector - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:08 pm:
How about cleaning up our own messes for a change.
- LincolnLounger - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:08 pm:
Truth be told, I worked very hard to prevent Lisa Madigan from being elected. However, I think she has done a pretty good job as Attorney General. That being said, public corruption has not been her priority, for whatever reason. That is a big disappointment. The Beavers instance isn’t exactly fair as federal charges were involved; however, Lisa could have made a real impact against public corruption by using the powers of her office as a bully pulpit. Those indignant at the slightest criticism of Lisa should recall that the Democrats shouted corruption from the rooftops when Jim Ryan was running for Governor as to why G. Ryan wasn’t prosecuted.
- Edison Parker - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:15 pm:
Not fair.
As soon as she does, she would be accused of doing it for political purposes and/or to further her career. No matter who she targeted, they would complain that her Dad was behind it, it helps her backers, hurts opponents, whatever. Heck, even if she prosecuted her own Dad people would say she’s doing to pretend to be independent or didn’t charge home enough or more of his cronies.
The AG can never win (politically) in this area and is better served focusing on those areas the AG is more normally supposed to do as people have commented above. Especially given that the Feds are doing it and paying for it.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:15 pm:
Maybe the ILGOP doesn’t fully grasp what the IL Attorney General’s duties are?
When Joe Birkett lost, he graciously told Lisa, according to legend, “Congratulations, now you are a prosecutor!”, while the IL AG is not a prosecutor.
Pat Brady, who, he himself, was a Federal Presecutor, working for a US Attorney, and Brady still criticizes, specifically, about federal crimes, indicted by the US Attorney, in a federal case.
Maybe I am being to harsh, maybe the ILGOP is confused by laws and how they all work?
- train111 - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:15 pm:
I know this isn’t a fair judgement, but once I saw the words “Pat Brady” my mind was made up. Unfortunately, his hysterical partisan rhetoric has probably caused others to make the same type of decision. He’s hysterically screamed wolf from any available mountaintop so many times, nobody actually listens to what the guy says—even if it is legit.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:15 pm:
Lisa Madigan made this a huge campaign issue when she first ran for office. She was going to change this and become more aggressive in prosecuting public corruption. Since then there has been little activity by her office.
By her own standards, she is subject to this criticism.
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:16 pm:
What are the AG’s responsibilities under the Illinois Constitution and Illinois law to investigate and prosecute misconduct by elected officials and “malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance” by public officials?
Do we want to give the AG more power to initiate and conduct investigations? Do we want to give the AG more manpower to do this?
Have Republicans sponsored any bills or amendments to empower the AG to do more? Have the Republicans run a serious anti-corruption candidate?
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:20 pm:
All these claims that Lisa Madigan said she’d be a corruption buster… would you care to provide quotes and links?
I remember LM saying she would focus on consumer protection which she has done. I remember LM’s partisans arguing that prosecuting political corruption wasn’t even under the purview of the office.
The claim that LM promised to prosecute political corruption seems to be manufactured a decade after the election by Republicans–y’know, the ones who can’t remember how the federal debt was caused or when the economy crashed.
- J - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:23 pm:
I agree with Edison Parker, the second Lisa announces an investigation into anyone the press release will read, “Lisa Targets Father’s Enemies”
- John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:24 pm:
>>>>When Joe Birkett lost, he graciously told Lisa, according to legend, “Congratulations, now you are a prosecutor!”, while the IL AG is not a prosecutor.>>>> I was there at the DoubleTree on election night, and I think that Joe’s a great guy, but his loss was not exactly graceful, and he announced that Lisa would get to see what a courtroom looked like.
- OurMagician - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:27 pm:
“All these claims that Lisa Madigan said she’d be a corruption buster… would you care to provide quotes and links?”
Attorney General Lisa Madigan is one of the few state leaders who vigorously and consistently fought against former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s corruption and mismanagement. The corruption of his administration showed the need for sound, honest leadership in the State of Illinois. As Attorney General, Lisa Madigan repeatedly stood in opposition to Blagojevich and took steps to stop his corruption. Throughout her tenure as Attorney General, she has worked to restore honesty and integrity to Illinois government.
Source?-http://www.lisamadigan.org/Issues/item/2010-05-battling-public-corruption-and-unethical-conduct
- HLH - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:31 pm:
AG’s office has limited Grand Jury investigative powers, if I remember correctly. Certainly cannot convene a federal grand jury to investigat IRS fraud, a federal offense. AG’s criminal division mostly assists local prossecutors when asked for help.
- Shock & Awww(e) - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:35 pm:
@ CN - Seriously? It’s a 2-second google search. It’s on the intro to her website, as well as a dedicated page. Was also a core part of her platform last cycle.
- “Fighting Corruption: Lisa Madigan… initiated the state investigation into former Governor Rod Blagojevich’s hiring practices.”
http://www.lisamadigan.org/?no_splash=1
- “Platform: Madigan’s platform is based on being an advocate for citizens. She promises to protect children’s rights as well as nursing home patients. In reaction to the former governor Rod Blagojevich scandal, Madigan also said she would fight corruption.”
http://northernstar.info/city/article_26b3f35c-d673-11df-9dcb-0017a4a78c22.html
- “Madigan took credit for creating a public integrity unit in the attorney general’s office that investigates government misconduct and fraud.”
“I went after the heart of government corruption in Illinois by leading an extensive investigation into allegations of former Gov. Blagojevich’s corruption.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101026/news/710279723/print/
There are plenty more just like. Even stronger comments if you go back to her first run.
She seems afraid to upset the apple cart on this one. Only people she targets are those already out of office or very low in the heirarchy.
Then she trumpets credit for things after the fact (i.e. Blagojevich).
Again, she’s done lots of very good things for Illinois. I like her, and I like her as our Attorney General right now. But not on this issue.
- Anonymous - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:37 pm:
This particular charge is not fair — since Beavers was hooked on federal tax charges, (though, as noted above, state tax charges might also be possible.)
The larger point is fair, in part. Lisa campaigned with corruption as an issue, but hasn’t done much. In part, that’s because she doesn’t have the resources of the feds, including police/agents working with her on corruption matters.
In part, state court judges aren’t as independent as federal court judges, and the free-change-of-judge rule permits the defendant to transfer away from a pro-prosecution judge to one whose, uh, views, may be more sympathetic. Maybe even a judge personally approved and put on the bench by Ed Burke or Ed Vrdolyak or Mike Madigan.
In part, she’d have to pick her cases carefully to avoid being charged with picking on her father’s opponents.
So while Brady’s direct point is unfair, the larger point about Lisa isn’t. There are serious structural issues making it difficult for an AG to prosecute corruption cases. But even given the very real limitations, she hasn’t done that much.
- Fed up - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:37 pm:
Yes it’s fair. Lisa loves to do photo ops at nursing homes or pay day loan stores claiming how she is protecting Illinois residents. Yet she is completely a sleep at the wheel or more likely shown no inclination to go after the criminal behavior of Illinois politicians.
- Wensicia - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:40 pm:
No, it’s the responsibility of the feds to investigate IRS tax fraud.
- Steve Bartin - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:44 pm:
One would that the Attorney General would get involved in some corruption cases. But, we don’t know if Lisa Madigan was waived off by Fitzgerald’s office. She was in the Rezko matter.
- Siriusly - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:45 pm:
To say she hasn’t gone after corruption once is a blatant lie. We should all remember that it was Lisa Madigan and her AG staff that began an investigation of “endemic hiring fraud” by Blago which she turned over to the US attorney only after Fitzgerald requested.
Unfair attack based on wrong information. She’s not the statewide office holder who printed and mailed a “special” update at taxpayer expense only to her to top party contributors. That was Rutherford.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:47 pm:
===Then she trumpets credit for things after the fact (i.e. Blagojevich).===
Wrong. She was the first to investigate RRB.
- Shock & Awww(e) - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 12:58 pm:
She was indeed the 1st. Her press releases and comments take a disroportionate share of the credit, imho. That’s what I meant by “trumpets credit after the fact”.
That is, however, a subjective comment on my part others may well disagree with. Some may feel she was the tip of the spear.
Thanks for pointing out my miscommunication.
And again, excellent Sun-Times column.
- Foxfire - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:01 pm:
I don’t believe citing the Beavers incident is fair for the same reason that others have cited - lack of jurisdiction. However, I do believe that criticism of her lack of activity on the topic is fair. It’s not that she doesn’t have the authority or the resources, it’s that she has elected to focus on other priorities. It’s a fair question to ask why she hasn’t made it one.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:04 pm:
I thought the question was wether or not THIS was a fair attack, and to Brady’s charge, to quote;
“Even though Commissioner Beavers’ offices are across the street from the Illinois Attorney General’s office, Lisa Madigan, daughter of powerful Democrat House Speaker and Illinois Democratic Party Chairman Mike Madigan, apparently missed this one as she has every other instance of public corruption in the state of Illinois during her tenure.”
This one, is a federal tax evasion case, beyond the her duties. So, for this instance, it is not fair. She could SHARE offices and its still federal, Pat, and you know it!
Applying it directly, as Brady, a former US Attorney proscecutor, did, is completely out of bounds and is that what fries my eggs about the ILGOP.
You are an attorney, Pat Brady. For cripes sake, you know its federal, and you go about attacking it, … directly?
Dope!
- Commonsense in Illinois - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:05 pm:
I think it is a fair criticism, although I agree with those who say the AG’s office is not necessarily prosecutorial as the State’s Attorneys offices. That said, several previous AGs, I believe Ty Fahner was first, asked the legislature to grant the AG authority to convene statewide Grand Juries and one of the reasons expressed was to be able to root out corruption. Unfortunately the legislature refused to even let a bill out of committee. To my knowledge, AG Madigan has made no effort to advance that proposal, so her inaction to convince the legislature to provide her with a significant tool to use in fighting corruption makes the criticism fair game.
- reformer - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:08 pm:
AG Madigan did prosecute Patricia Bailey, who was a Democratic state rep and who was convicted. How many Republican legislators did AG Ryan prosecute? Oh yeah, zero.
- soccermom - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:08 pm:
I know the AG is Wonder Woman, but it seems like a lot to ask her to take on federal law enforcement on top of the rest of her duties. Seems like Fitzgerald might object, as well.
- Honestly - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:14 pm:
In her role as Attorney General, Lisa Madigan has vigorously defended state agency directors and their deputies who have violated state and federal laws against public employees, federal grantors, and taxpayers. Although it’s appropriate that she be criticized for her support of wrongdoing and her phony anti-corruption stance, it appears out of context in this instance.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:20 pm:
For the record, Beavers is not being charged with public corruption. The charges are related to his personal income taxes, so calling this public corruption isn’t accurate. It’s more like what George Washington Plunkett would call “honest graft.” He pocketed his office allowance, which is perfectly acceptable under County ordinances and state law. He apparently didn’t report it as income, which is why he was indicted.
So Brady is simply using Beavers’ headlines to get his name out into the media and attack Lisa Madigan in the process. No it isn’t fair, and it isn’t accurate. But that’s politics and Lisa is a big girl. She doesn’t need me to defend her. She has a good record to back her up and I’m confident her record will speak for itself.
- East Sider - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:36 pm:
We have plenty of corruption in the metro east that her office continues to ignore, despite repeated requests of some local elected officials. One of the most blatant was corruption involving the former Madison County Treasurer in regards to the way he ran his tax auction. She claims to be an advocate for the people and for consumers, yet this scandal caused many people to lose their homes, and tax buyers were able to benefit to the tune of more than $2mil/year in fees, while bankrolling the campaign fund of the county treasurer. That story broke 18 months ago and still not a peep from the AG’s office, despite repeated requests from some local officials.
- Jake From Elwood - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:52 pm:
This is an unfair attack.
Federal tax evasion is handled by federal governnment. We have this little constitutional concept known as “preemption”.
Brady must have confused it with the term “provocation”.
Have a good weekend folks.
- Chicago/Illiois DNA - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:56 pm:
Plain and simple - this is fair game in the world of politics. It plays to his base and now LM has a choice to make in regards to responding and setting her record straight. We are in an election year right?
- Jade_rabbit - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 1:59 pm:
Voted that it is fair.
The AG office will jump on big national lawsuits if there is money to be had (i.e. cigarettes and mortgages), but tends to ignore the local corruption. Especially with the FOIA requests that her office is responsible for ruling on.
- Bob - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 2:01 pm:
What about the thousands of workman’s comp claims. Has anybody even looked at them. They stole money from the state, so its should be under the states jurisdiction.
- bigred - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 2:24 pm:
When she ran and beat Joe Birkett, she was critical of then AG Jim Ryan regarding his lack of conviction of public officials. Now, she is subject to the same attacks. However, the Ag doesnt have the independent authority to go after pols.
- CircularFiringSquad - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 2:24 pm:
Gotta love it
Friday afternoon of Speedweek and the posters and posterette are reminding us of BrickheadJoe and the deathspiral of IL GOPies.
Cannot get much better unless of course Puolos suffers a season ending injury whing about the “El Hombre” billboards.
Amd Speaking of BillbBoards …
- Judgment Day - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 2:30 pm:
Fair attack on this particular incident?
No.
But there’s a whole lot of other issues (the proposed mortgage ’settlement’ is a great example) where LM is at best MIA, if not giving the banks and mortgage servicers a virtual “Get Out Of Litigation Free” pass in exchange for trinkets.
LM comes across as a “ticket puncher” who gets in on feasting on the small, easy ones and ducks the hard ones, where you’ve actually got to buckle down and work.
IMO, when the going gets tough, Lisa’s nowhere to be seen…
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 2:30 pm:
–We have plenty of corruption in the metro east that her office continues to ignore, despite repeated requests of some local elected officials. One of the most blatant was corruption involving the former Madison County Treasurer in regards to the way he ran his tax auction.–
What’s the Madison County SA doing?
- Esquire - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 2:33 pm:
It is fair only because Lisa Madigan campaigned on this issue.
In recent times, the Illinois Attorney General has seldom if ever waded into public corruption prosecutions, but that is not to say it is impossible. Usually, the AG steps in when the local county prosecutor calls for help. This happened numerous times during the Twenties, but nothing substantial came of most of the investigations. AGs Brundage and Carlstrom even sometimes took after fellow Republicans. Brundage famously exposed Governor Len Small’s activities while serving as State Treasurer.
- Esquire - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 2:41 pm:
I neglected to add that Joe Birkett challenged Lisa Madigan when she said that the Attorney General needed to take a more active role in prosecuting corruption on the part of public officials. Not that anyone listened to Birkett during the 2002 campaign, but he correctly said that such prosecutions are ordinarily the responsibility of the State’s Attorneys. As others have noted, it is easier for the AG to go after state officials.
- Plutocrat03 - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 2:46 pm:
In this case, for a federal crime, the AG has little authority. However when you consider the rich target environment for corruption in Illinois, the science is deafaning.
- Bigtwitch - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 3:04 pm:
==The AG office will jump on big national lawsuits if there is money to be had ==
Those are civil lawsuits, not criminal. The AG has broad powers in civil law matters by very few in criminal law matters. The AG has very limited authority to institute criminal prosecutions. The Patricia Baily case was one the AG prosecuted for the State’s Attorney, under the authority of the State’s Attorney. The Charles Flowers case handled by the AG was a civil case. The criminal prosecution there was prosecuted by the State’s Attorney.
- Ron Gorn - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 3:17 pm:
Its really a shame that Brady is even getting this publicity for such an amateur childish attack. He is very well aware of the law.
I wouldnt let him run a Birthday Party at Chucky Cheeses let alone the Republican Party !!
- Ahoy - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 3:25 pm:
It’s fair because of her attacks on Ryan.
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 3:28 pm:
–Brundage famously exposed Governor Len Small’s activities while serving as State Treasurer.–
Old Len wasn’t hiding it too much, lol. He and Big Bill were bought and paid for pretty good, and quite publicly.
But that’s a great reminder of where we’ve come from.
When you talk about recent public corruption of local politicians, it barely registers for me. Nickels and dimes.
Check out the number of zeroes on the right side of the bailout checks for the investment bankers. Those pump-and-dumpers wrecked the world economy, took personal money off the table, and still got bailed out.
The real corruption is that there hasn’t been a perp walk down on Wall Street. Guess that happens when they’ve bought and paid for both national parties.
Let’s just blame it on Madoff and call it a day.
- mark walker - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 3:39 pm:
When I read the comment, my first thought was “what an idiot!” The AG has started at least one other big case, and passed it on to Givem Fitz at his request, and this case is Federal.
And then I noticed it was Brady again. Will he ever make a true public statement about any subject?
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 3:48 pm:
–And then I noticed it was Brady again. Will he ever make a true public statement about any subject?–
I’m pretty sure that Brady is part of the great Madigan Conspiracy to undermine the GOP, which was baldly exposed in the Keyes selection.
Seriously, do you have to go to clown college to sit on the GOP Central Committee?
- Jim - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 3:56 pm:
Act
- Shock & Awww(e) - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 4:13 pm:
And by a 3-to-2 margin, the Capitol Fax voting public agrees with Brady.
The silent majority has spoken, lol.
Where’s Dick Nixon when you need him?
- Wensicia - Friday, Feb 24, 12 @ 4:33 pm:
==The silent majority has spoken, lol.==
I’m sayin’, the poll results don’t come close to matching the commentariat.
- East Sider - Monday, Feb 27, 12 @ 9:35 am:
–What’s the Madison County SA doing?–
This came down one month before he was elected judge (in an unopposed race). He couldn’t get out the door fast enough. He “referred it” to the AG’s office. The new appointed SA also said all questions should be referred to the AG’s office.