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* NBC 5…
The former federal prosecutor set to be appointed Monday to investigate allegations of wrongdoing at Metra has backed out, officials announced.
Metra’s board members said Friday it would bring in former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins to investigate a scandal that centers around ousted Metra CEO Alex Clifford, but transit officials said Collins declined the job late Sunday.
“I am personally disappointed that Patrick Collins cannot undertake this endeavor,” Chairman Brad O’Halloran said in a statement. “I felt he would have done an excellent job. I remain committed to interviewing other lawyers with outstanding reputations and investigative skills, and to once again ask the board for its approval.”
* Tribune…
Late Sunday, Perkins Coie, Collins’ law firm, told Metra it had a “potential conflict” and that Collins, a partner, could not take on the case, according to a statement by Metra.
Metra’s board of directors was to have met this morning to discuss and potentially approve Collins’ hiring to conduct an investigation into the allegations raised by former Metra CEO Alex Clifford in an April 3 memo and at a July 17 Regional Transportation Authority meeting.
The statement did not specify what the conflict was.
In an e-mail to Metra from Collins quoted in the statement, Collins said that an “initial conflict check” last week came back clear, but that subsequently, Perkins Coie was “made aware of additional conflict issues.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 9:31 am
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Isn’t Fitz in private practice? Why go with Robin when you can get Batman?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 9:42 am
Who is happier about the “conflict” being found … Metra or Collins?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 9:59 am
well, everyone is playing catch up now. Because the Leg IG is trying to lock up the witnesses.
and many people would not consider Collins to be Robin…..
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 10:05 am
Where’s Richard Phelan?
Comment by A guy... Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 10:16 am
Willy, there’s also c) Collins’ law partners who may have seen a limited upside for the firm in wading into this mess.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 10:49 am
It usually helps to have final conflict clearance from your partners before a public announcement of an engagement.
Comment by Keyrock Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 10:50 am
Way too late to start any new investigation; there are already 5 in progress - by independent entities (not an in-house investigation, which are mostly PR stunts). And any lawyer will have a conflict repping Metra, the Metea Board, and O’Halloran and Huggins, all at the same time! Can’t be done ethically. So save the money.
Comment by Nohopeforillinois Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 11:20 am
- Arthur Andersen -,
Oh…Is that kinda like when you Bill the Rauner Crew, and I post something, and then you, the “Consulting - AA -” gets mad because I am hurting our bottome line?
To the Post,
Whoever does decide to accept this position, and after all the politcal cards are played by every group wanting an investigation, at what point will this not become just white noise, screeching about “unethical, maybe, illegal it is not”?
How deep will this go, meaning every personnel files is scrubbed looking for Recommendation Letters, and from who and for what… and hiring practices … and let us not forget … contracts…
Will be an interesting follow …to where and when and what, who can say, but today, its “ethics versus legal” I guess(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 11:24 am
No upside for a firm that does lots of work with the state, City, etc.
Only slighly off topic, check out the City Council IG report, which dings both Joe Moore and calls out another Alderman for “Abuse of Power” for actions pretty much identical to the Metra inquiries. Not illegal, but these IGs running around are going to make the old way of doing business much harder:
ABUSE OF AUTHORITY:
Pursuant to an investigation and a signed and sworn complaint received on May 22, 2012, the OLIG has found that an Alderman improperly called another unit of government to inquire on behalf of an employment candidate who had previously worked for him as an intern, with whom he remains family friends, and whose family-affiliated business has contributed money to the Alderman on many occasions. …
Comment by vibes Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 12:53 pm
Too bad, I guess having lots of clout comes in handy especially when you are under the microscope.
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 3:44 pm
Joe Moore is turning into Larry Bloom.
don’t blame Collins for turning it down, despite all the inside sniping going on here. Homer is locking in the witnesses, makes any other investigation difficult.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 6:11 pm
Well, it’s an unfortunate loss for the Taxpayers who use and are affected daily by Metra. If it wasn’t for the potential conflict of interest, surely Mr. Collins would have provided a solidly independent, action-oriented Report replete with helpful recommendations. Is renowned, former Federal Prosecutor and Illinois’ very own Gov. “Big Jim” Thompson available these days…? (Surely he would serve as a Noteworthy and noble Replacement, who obviously retains the respect of ALL of Illinois and, ya never know, might just be willing if they inquire)….
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Jul 22, 13 @ 7:48 pm