SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Federal prosecutors have asked an Illinois House impeachment committee not to delve into the criminal charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a request that could hasten a decision on whether to boot Blagojevich from office.
In a letter released Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald warned the committee that interviewing witnesses and discussing documents related to the charges against Blagojevich could undermine his criminal investigation. He declined to give the committee documents and other information about his probe but left open the possibility of giving the committee copies of Blagojevich conversations captured by federal wiretaps.
Committee members had promised to abide by prosecutors’ recommendations about what should be off limits, so Fitzgerald’s request means the panel won’t conduct its own investigation of possible criminal activity. They have said that if they can’t pursue the criminal charges, then their fact-gathering work is largely done.
State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, the committee chairwoman, said a decision on whether to recommend an impeachment vote by the full House could come the week of Jan. 5. The Associated Press
