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CMS 2 finally free

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Illinois

Governor Blagojevich is dropping a case against two state workers accused of manipulating the hiring process.

The governor’s office said it will not appeal a ruling that restored the jobs of Dawn Defraties and Michael Casey with back pay.

Both were fired last year when the Blagojevich administration accused them of hiring state employees based on political connections.

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…appealing the decision was up to the Civil Service Commission, which decided against it, Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said without elaboration in an e-mailed statement.

Commission members all are chosen by Blagojevich. And the two Blagojevich-controlled agencies that employed DeFraties and Casey at the time they were fired, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Historic Preservation Agency, could have appealed, too.

Ottenhoff did not respond to follow-up questions.

Madigan spokeswoman Robyn Ziegler also refused to explain why there is no appeal. Madigan’s staff represented the commission. A lawyer from the private law firm that represented the agencies that employed the two did not return a call seeking comment.

Congrats to both.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 8:31 am

Comments

I’m currently going through the “discharge” process and am encouraged that some form of justice prevailed in this case. I sure would like to know the particulars this decision though.

Comment by Some solace Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 8:51 am
How about Rod Blagojevich reimburses the State of Illinois for all those legal fees out of his own pocket now. The amount of state resources he’s wasted has to be a record.

Comment by Sounds from the ground Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 10:14 am
How many more cases like this are pending?

Comment by Shelbyville Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 10:27 am
Even with a stacked deck, he couldn’t win. That really speaks to what a bogus move the firings were.

Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 10:29 am
Speaking of state resources, how’s Rod’s state plane makeover going?

Comment by Badmarsh Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 10:44 am
The truth will always prevail no matter how long it takes, truth prevails and divine justice is on time.

“Same solace”, if you’re right and you pursue your claims of righteousness you will one day previal, just don’t give up. The process is designed to tire you out and make you give up. But if you stay steadfast and determined as happened in this case, the opposition will give up as they may come to a dead end or they’ll get tired themselves and or tired of scrutiny. Contrary, don’t you be the problem attempting to make “them” the problem as you’ll run into a dead end with no defenses.

I had faith all along that these two employees would prevail and retain there employment, congratulations to the both of them.

Comment by One_Mcmad Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 10:45 am
Does anyone know how these two are being treated while back on the job? Have they been ostrasized or allowed to do their former jobs?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 11:22 am
I sincerely the State has to pay their legal fees since the ruling in their favor stands. Rod enjoys retaining legions of attorneys at taxpayer expense to carry out all of the legal dramas that he initiates.

Comment by Former State Employee Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 11:27 am
Anon 11:22, my thoughts exactly. There is more than one way for an agency or its administration to get even.
And, Some Solace, it you were wise enough to keep detailed records of everything that transpired, you’ll be in better shape to address this situation.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:17 pm
Why was everyone talking about Carl Draper? Is he defending these ex state employees?

Comment by Lotta Liaison Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:56 pm
LL, why not just Google him or read the stories before asking such a basic question?

Just sayin’

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 12:57 pm
I am absolutely thrilled that Blago has dropped any further appeal on this case. Dawn and Michael didn’t deserve this mess and this should be a heads up for anyone and everyone who heel/toes it to Blago’s wishes. Keep records, keep very very detailed records, find some way to make a diary that is tamper proof as to date and time, for heaven’s sake don’t go back and change anything you have written, and keep a copy of all of this somewhere safe other than your desk or workplace. Print off copies and send it to yourself in the US Mail and don’t open the envelopes (proof of date). Unfortunately for this governor, that would be good advice to anyone who works for him, including his top staff. He would throw anyone under the bus to save his own rear.

From this morning’s SJ-R, “Blagojevich had considered the matter so important that he turned over evidence to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who has been investigating Blagojevich’s hiring practices for two years.”

Did Blago fall off a turnip truck? WHY, in the name of everything that is sacred, would he turn this stuff over to Fitzgerald? Talk about shooting oneself in the foot, or higher up midway between the waist and knees.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 2:10 pm
These 2 are not heroes or victims. They were, and are, guilty of what they were charged with. The state simply didn’t present a case that would convict them. I would bet most of the posters here and elsewhere have never worked under C and D. Not “with” them; under them. The appeal was stopped because Blago didn’t want it revealed who was giving orders to Casey and DeFraties. There was never going to be an appeal most likely. These two are just like OJ: guilty, but not convicted. The glove did fit and apps were changed. As someone already noted, the truth will set you free. Unfortunately, the truth has not yet been revealed.

Comment by OJ Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 7:32 pm
“appealing the decision was up to the Civil Service Commission, which decided against it, Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said without elaboration in an e-mailed statement.”

After dragging these two employees through this and spending countless taxpayer $$$ trying justify this farce, there is no comment? Don’t we deserve some type of comment after using our money for this show? Come on Gov and the lap dogs, throw us a bone…

Comment by Holdingontomywallet Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 8:06 pm
OJ, you have no idea what you are talking about. Even the graders who lied to the OEIG later testified at the hearings that no orders came from DeFraties/Casey nor were apps ever changed for them or by them. Read the transcripts, then take your meds and get over it!

Comment by BABBling OJ Thursday, Sep 20, 07 @ 9:54 pm
BABBling OJ, if you read the transcripts, the graders never lied. They answered the questions posed to them accurately. Draper knew how to frame the questions to elicit the desired response. The government lawyers failed to ask the proper questions.

Comment by OJ Friday, Sep 21, 07 @ 7:01 am