Last Day In Office For U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald
CHICAGO (CBS) -- U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has reached last day in office, and he is going out in much the same way he has served.
As WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty reports, Fitzgerald held his last major news conference Thursday, as he talked to reporters about bribery charges against ex-Ald. Ambrosio Medrano and former Cook County Commissioner Joseph Mario Moreno.
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During the news conference, Fitzgerald refused to speculate on any broader meaning in ongoing political corruption.
He was highly complimentary to his staff, who he says will continue to bring corruption cases.
Fitzgerald says he is treating his last days like another days in the office and he'll be privately reflective after he's gone.
The usually inscrutable Fitzgerald rarely talks beyond what's covered in criminal complaints and was just as terse when asked for parting words as he ends 11 years in Chicago.
He simply said, "Bye."
Fitzgerald became a national celebrity for going after political corruption in Illinois. Most notably, he led the prosecutions of both Gov. George Ryan and Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who are both serving time in prison.
Fitzgerald has said he plans to take some time off this summer to spend more time with his wife and children, before deciding what to do next in his career. His last day on the job will be June 30.
Next week, veteran federal prosecutor Gary Shapiro will take over as acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. He will be free to apply for the full-time job.
