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The governor stuck to the script yesterday, but it differed in a big way from his office’s talking points a couple of months ago.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich called his administration “fearless” in fighting corruption Tuesday […]“We are fearless. We don’t care whether that inspector general finds wrongdoing from someone that we hire.”
Unfortunately, the governor said, he couldn’t disclose how the fearless fight was going.
Blagojevich said state law bars him from disclosing any of the inspector general’s findings. Pressed on the issue, he said officials should take a look at changing the law so that more information can be made public.
Um, wasn’t that his bill?
The governor also expressed displeasure that the Tribune recently disclosed the contents of an inspector general’s report.
And [the Tribune] got a hold of a [inspector general’s] report that was unflattering. And even though whoever gave it to them violated the law, they were more than happy to write about it, and it was unflattering
But as Dan Curry pointed out in May, the governor’s office talked about details of an IG report with the Sun-Times.
But a Blagojevich aide said “there was no basis for termination” because the governor’s top investigator could find no wrongdoing, allowing Mlinarich to remain at the Gaming Board until her November 2004 resignation. […]“After the Gaming Board raised this, we had the inspector general look into the matter. Her determination was that the allegations of the misuse of the McPier credit cards were not tied to Ms. Mlinarich,” [Blagojevich spokesperson] Ottenhoff said.
Curry provided the relevant statute:
(d) Unless otherwise provided in this Act, all investigatory files and reports of the Office of an Executive Inspector General, other than quarterly reports, are confidential, are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, and shall not be divulged to any person or agency, except as necessary (i) to the appropriate law enforcement authority if the matter is referred pursuant to this Act, (ii) to the ultimate jurisdictional authority, (iii) to the Executive Ethics Commission; or (iv) to another Inspector General appointed pursuant to this Act.
(Source: P.A. 93‑617, eff. 12‑9‑03.)
[Emphasis added]
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 7:11 am
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5,000 kids in 11 days. Oops. Wrong thread.
This inspector general crap is simply an early warning system. If a Dem is reported there “is no basis for termination”. If a Rep is reported then they are rooting out corruption.
And of course, Rod needs to create scapegoats. I wonder what Defrates (sp?) et al think about the “shall not be divulged” phrase? Did Rod divulge ANY wrongdoing by people he hired? Of course not.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 7:43 am
We don’t care whether that inspector general finds wrongdoing from someone that we hire.
Well, no one can accuse the Governor of lying — he really doesn’t care where the inspector general finds wrongdoing from someone he hired.
Oh, and doesn’t the Gov sound more and more like W every day? The end of the article has the Governor complaining about employees who talk to the press.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 7:44 am
Fearless?!?! Shameless!
Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 7:44 am
No wonder Judy isn’t spending any money. She can’t get a better campaign commercial than the one Rod provides free of charge.
Comment by Jim in Accounting Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 8:51 am
Can’t say or his lawyers are telling him to keep his mouth shut because the feds are listening to everything he says.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 10:19 am
“We don’t care…” The three most telling words of this administration. Save your money, Judy, honey. He’s doing your job for you.
Comment by Disgusted Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 1:11 pm
This is the same bill that did failed to make public legislative staff time sheets.
Comment by Cal Skinner Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 2:04 pm
Fearless Fighter. I thought we had come up with all sorts of names for our chief of state but I think this is the best one yet. Judy, the election is yours to lose.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 3:03 pm
My opinion is that the former Executive Inspector General in collussion with the Director for Employment Security released that report so that the public can raise issues with the Governor’s office.
The former Executive Inspector General was at odds with the Governor’s office over many issues prior to being fired in 2005. In retaliation, they released this reports to the public but kept others confidential.
Sounds like “clout” played a role in investigations in the OEIG!
Someone should ask Z. Scott why did she leave her job with the state as Blagojevich’s Executive Inspector General.
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 3:57 pm
In addition to my above comment. Check out Random Acts of Kindness, The Inspector General’s Resignation and how her office can be more open and transparent with the current laws.
http://randomactofkindness.com/comments.php?id=996_0_1_0_C
What is the purpose of having a news section on the OEIG’s website with no news. Check the site, no news since December 9, 2004.
Comment by One Man Can Make A Difference Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 4:02 pm
This whole thing is so strange. So if an illegal action (i.e. crime) is committed, the public has no way of knowing because it would be up to the committee to determine if a ‘true crime’ has been committed. This does not look right considering the last report conducted by the IG - Z Scott (a couple of years ago) found that there were questionable hiring practices going on and no one acted on.
Comment by state worker #1 Wednesday, Jul 12, 06 @ 7:18 pm