Feds: Stand Down Or Pose 'Substantial Risks' To Investigation
From the Chicago Tribune
As Illinois Republicans argued Thursday that a legislative panel should push ahead with an election-year inquiry into Gov. Pat Quinn’s troubled anti-violence program, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a letter to clear up any misunderstanding: stand down or pose “substantial risks” to a federal criminal investigation.
Lawmakers had issued subpoenas to force seven aides connected to the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative to testify at a hearing next week, but received a call from the Justice Department on Wednesday asking them to delay the proceedings by 90 days so as not to interfere with a grand jury probe.
Republican leaders cried foul, declaring Thursday afternoon that lawmakers were capable of conducting a parallel examination without getting in the way. They questioned why the request came over the phone instead of in a formal letter. Around 5 p.m., Republicans released a letter federal officials sent to Springfield.
“This confirms our request that the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission refrain from conducting interviews or receiving testimony from any individuals in connection with (the anti-violence program),” wrote Peter J. Kadzik, assistant attorney general for the Office of Legislative Affairs in the Justice Department.
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From the Chicago Tribune
As Illinois Republicans argued Thursday that a legislative panel should push ahead with an election-year inquiry into Gov. Pat Quinn’s troubled anti-violence program, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a letter to clear up any misunderstanding: stand down or pose “substantial risks” to a federal criminal investigation.
Lawmakers had issued subpoenas to force seven aides connected to the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative to testify at a hearing next week, but received a call from the Justice Department on Wednesday asking them to delay the proceedings by 90 days so as not to interfere with a grand jury probe.
Republican leaders cried foul, declaring Thursday afternoon that lawmakers were capable of conducting a parallel examination without getting in the way. They questioned why the request came over the phone instead of in a formal letter. Around 5 p.m., Republicans released a letter federal officials sent to Springfield.
“This confirms our request that the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission refrain from conducting interviews or receiving testimony from any individuals in connection with (the anti-violence program),” wrote Peter J. Kadzik, assistant attorney general for the Office of Legislative Affairs in the Justice Department.
Read more in our daily News Update...