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State’s attorney says AG Madigan’s Quincy probe “politically motivated”

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Illinois

* WGEM doesn’t mention it in the report, but Adams County State’s Attorney Gary Farha is a Republican…

A day after a WBEZ report claimed Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s office contributed to a six-day lag between when state officials knew of a Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak at the Illinois Veterans’ Home and when the public, including residents of the home and their families were told about it.

Wednesday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan launched an investigation. Adams County’s State’s Attorney says Madigan asked him to use a local grand jury.

“There are sixteen people that sit on the grand jury,” said Farha. “Nine of them have to vote for a true bill. They’re presented with the evidence by one witness and all they have to do is find that it’s more likely true then not true that a crime was committed.”

Farha’s office is not involved in any part of the investigation but he believes the timing of the investigation is questionable.

“In no way do I know anything involved in this investigation,” said Farha. “I do feel this is politically motivated.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 12:33 pm

Comments

In other news, water is wet. I think questions should be asked, we should determine whether this stuff rises to the legal level of negligence/abuse/manslaughter, but the timing? Waaaaaaay too obvious.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 12:35 pm
“In no way do I know anything involved in this investigation,” said Farha.

Well the deaths occurred in your county maybe you should be involved in the investigation.

Comment by don the legend Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 12:40 pm
Two things are true at the same time:

1. Madigan’s timing reeks of political opportunism. She should have started and announced an investigation months ago, in conjunction with the state’s attorney.

2. Farha, as states attorney with original jurisdiction, should have conducted his own, thorough investigation. Old vets under state care died on his watch. That’s not normal. His lack of curiosity could also be interpreted partisan dereliction of duty.

Not a good look for either.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 12:44 pm
What goes around, comes around.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 12:47 pm
If, based on statute, the Attorney General can only do this with the ok of the State’s Attorney (arguments Lisa Madigan has used to defend why she hasn’t investigated other issues), then is the State’s Attorney ok’ing an investigation he views as purely political? Or was Madigan just lying about her authority previously?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 12:48 pm
@anonymous@12:48 - it’s good to click through and read. From the article:

“Wednesday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan launched an investigation. Adams County’s State’s Attorney says Madigan asked him to use a local grand jury.”

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 12:54 pm
Excuse me, you didn’t even have to click through, Rich had actually quoted the line that answered your question in his post.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 12:56 pm
=Two things are true at the same time:

1. Madigan’s timing reeks of political opportunism. She should have started and announced an investigation months ago, in conjunction with the state’s attorney.

2. Farha, as states attorney with original jurisdiction, should have conducted his own, thorough investigation. Old vets under state care died on his watch. That’s not normal. His lack of curiosity could also be interpreted partisan dereliction of duty.

Not a good look for either.=

Totally true on all accounts.

An which is worse, looking political or turning a blind eye toward the deaths of 14 veterans?

I think partisan dereliction of duty in a case that resulted in 14 deaths is very bad.

I apologize for piggy backing on one of your posts again, but you are on it as usual.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:00 pm
Would Lisa have investigated if the SA had done his job and investigated initially?

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:12 pm
Of course it is political grandstanding. Madigan claims authority to investigate Quincy and the Catholic Church, but not an alleged scheme to defraud local government. She also disclaimed authority over municipal frauds in Harvey, Cicero, and others.

Comment by #1 Anon Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:14 pm
@wordslinger is 100 percent correct. A pox on both their houses.

If there is any saving grace, this nonsense will illustrate that the AG’s Office has almost no legal authority to act as a prosecutor in Illinois. Lots of politicians and reporters need to learn that lesson.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:15 pm
Sorry, anon @ 1:15 was me.

Comment by Roman Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:16 pm
The truth of the duality - Wordslinger - points out does not change anything for the victims or the families of the victims.

That’s what should frustrate everyone, but might anger those most effected.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:21 pm
Question for Adams County State’s Attorney Gary Farha: Was your decision to not investigate why more than a dozen people died at the Quincy Veterans’ Home politically motivated?

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:30 pm
MisterJayem, you know only Democrats are politically motivated.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:34 pm
===but the timing?===

I could be wrong in my recollection, but hasn’t the administration done everything it possibly could to prevent emails referencing the outbreak at Quincy from being made public?

Madigan’s office isn’t the only factor involved in the timing here.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 2:11 pm
It shouldn’t take a “Republican” to tell AG Madigan’s actions are certainly politically motivated. Attempting to discredit Farha because he’s a “Republican” is laughable.

Comment by INI Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 2:47 pm
This timing is terrible because Rauner made it so. He’s stonewalled every opportunity, FOIA, Senate inquiries, and media inquiry because it is preponderantly clear that his administration wants to conceal its role and viewpoint on the issue.

Just as JB should have paid those toilet taxes long ago, Rauner’s administration should have been open about what happened in Quincy, held those who failed responsible, and shown a semblance of good faith to the public. He chose, of course, not to.

He made his bed, now he gets to lay on a legionnaire’s infested mattress right before an election.

Comment by MG85 Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 2:51 pm
===Rauner’s administration should have been open about what happened in Quincy, held those who failed responsible, and shown a semblance of good faith to the public.===

That’s one of those moments where the Governor and or the Governor’s office is supposed to invite in an investigation and use it to hold someone accountable besides the Governor.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 2:53 pm
I wonder if AG Madigan or any state democrat will comment on or condem a democrat running for state rep advocating violence in response to Van Dyke trial. State rep Willie Preston is advocating attacking areas of the city. Gee Fran Hurlley what do you think of you colleague advocating attacking your district.

Comment by 51ward Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:17 pm
===State rep Willie Preston===

Moron. He lost to Mary Flowers. He’s not a state Rep. He’s a failed candidate. Sheesh, get a clue already.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:19 pm