* WBEZ…
The Champaign County State’s Attorney revealed Friday that her office is now working with other state and federal agencies on a investigation into a 2012 email written by a former powerful Springfield lobbyist that referred to an unspecified “rape in Champaign,” WBEZ has learned.
Democratic Champaign State’s Attorney Julia Rietz told WBEZ in an interview Friday afternoon that her office is involved in a “comprehensive investigation” with the Illinois Attorney General, the Illinois State Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois into the content of the email.
“There are efforts being made to unravel this – again – cryptic, unspecific allegation regarding a sexual assault,” Rietz said.
* Meanwhile, the mayor stood up for the governor…
…Adding… More from the mayor’s remarks…
Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined the chorus calling for a criminal investigation of the alleged rape mentioned in McClain’s email. But she added a perspective that’s been missed.
“If there was a rape, we have a victim out there who’s watching. Hopefully not. But I have concerns the person is being re-traumatized by the way in which this story is unfolding and the way that we’re talking about it and losing site of the fact that there’s a potential victim out there,” the mayor said.
“It’s mind-boggling that someone would put something like that in an email so blithely as an argument for why a particular person should be saved from disciplinary action. Mike McClain will have to give account for himself, I would imagine, on a number of different fronts in the coming days and weeks. But this one is something unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.”
* Pat Quinn spoke up…
Former Gov. Pat Quinn and currently Gov. JB Pritzker are among the state lawmakers calling for an investigation after WBEZ reported an email from a former lobbyist hinted at a rape cover-up.
The email was reportedly sent to aides to then-Gov. Quinn. Details about that rape case and apparent cover-up are unknown. […]
Quinn has said he had no knowledge of the matters mentioned in the email, but has called for an investigation. He said he was unaware of the email until he was told about it by reporters.”
”I think it must be fully investigated by law enforcement and justice must be done and the truth must come out. That’s what I believe,” he said.
* And Greg Hinz is done with MJM…
