Patrick Fitzgerald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Fitzgerald
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| United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois | |
| In office October 21, 2001 – June 30, 2012 |
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| President | George W. Bush Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Scott Lassar |
| Succeeded by | Zachary T. Fardon |
| Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice | |
| In office December 30, 2003 – March 6, 2007 |
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| Appointed by | James Comey |
| Preceded by | Position not in use |
| Succeeded by | Position not in use |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 22, 1960 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Jennifer Letzkus |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Amherst College (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
Patrick J. Fitzgerald (born December 22, 1960) is a well-known American lawyer. He used to be a top prosecutor for the United States government. For over ten years, he served as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.
Before this important role, he worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in New York City. There, he helped prosecute major cases involving organized crime and terrorism. He was also a special counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice. In this role, he led a big investigation known as the Valerie Plame Affair. This investigation led to the conviction of Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Scooter Libby, for lying and blocking justice.
As a federal prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald led many important investigations. These investigations resulted in the convictions of powerful figures. These included Illinois Governors Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan. He also investigated media owner Conrad Black and several aides to Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley.
About Patrick Fitzgerald
Patrick Fitzgerald was born in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a Roman Catholic family with Irish roots. His father worked as a doorman and a security guard.
Education and Early Life
Fitzgerald went to Our Lady Help of Christians grammar school. He then attended Regis High School. He studied economics and mathematics at Amherst College. He was a very good student, earning a Phi Beta Kappa honor. Later, he earned his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1985. During his college years, he enjoyed playing rugby.
Family Life
Patrick Fitzgerald married Jennifer Letzkus in June 2008. They have two children together.
Patrick Fitzgerald's Career
Working in New York
After starting his career in civil law, Fitzgerald became an Assistant United States Attorney in New York City in 1988. ..... In 1993, he helped prosecute Mafia figure John Gambino.
In 1994, Fitzgerald became a prosecutor in a major case. This case was against Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman and others involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. In 1996, he became the National Security Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney's office in New York. He was part of a team that investigated Osama bin Laden. He also led prosecutions related to the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.
Becoming a U.S. Attorney in Illinois
On September 1, 2001, Patrick Fitzgerald was suggested for the role of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. This recommendation came from U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald (who was not related to him). The Senator wanted someone from outside Chicago. Patrick Fitzgerald had only visited Chicago once before his selection. On October 24, 2001, the Senate approved his nomination.
Investigating Government Corruption
Soon after becoming U.S. Attorney in Illinois, Fitzgerald began a big investigation. He looked into political appointees of Republican Illinois Governor George Ryan. These officials were suspected of taking bribes to give licenses to truck drivers who were not qualified. Fitzgerald expanded this investigation. He uncovered a network of political bribery and gift-giving. This led to more than 60 people being charged. Governor Ryan was charged in December 2003. In April 2006, Ryan was found guilty on all 18 charges against him. He was sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
Fitzgerald also investigated officials connected to Democrat Richard M. Daley, the mayor of Chicago. In July 2005, his office charged several top aides to the mayor. These charges were about corruption in hiring practices at City Hall. In March 2006, former Chicago City Clerk James Laski admitted to taking bribes. This was part of the Hired Truck Program scandal.
In April 2007, Fitzgerald oversaw an investigation called Operation Crooked Code. This led to the prosecution of many people for bribery in Chicago's Department of Buildings and Zoning.
The Blagojevich Case
On December 9, 2008, federal agents arrested Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He was charged with trying to make money from his power to choose President Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate. Fitzgerald famously said Blagojevich "put a 'for sale' sign on the naming of a United States Senator." Blagojevich was charged with mail fraud and trying to get a bribe.
Stepping Down
On May 23, 2012, Patrick Fitzgerald announced he was leaving his position. He retired as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois on June 30, 2012.
Work After Government Service
In 2013, Governor Patrick Quinn appointed Fitzgerald to the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois.
Fitzgerald also joined a law firm called Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in 2012. He worked there as a partner in their Chicago office. He retired from the firm in June 2023.
Important Cases
The Plame Investigation
On December 30, 2003, Patrick Fitzgerald was appointed as a Special Counsel. This meant he had special authority to lead an investigation. This investigation was into the Plame affair, where the identity of a CIA officer, Valerie Plame, was revealed.
On October 28, 2005, Fitzgerald charged Scooter Libby, who was Vice President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff. Libby was charged with five counts of making false statements, lying under oath, and blocking justice. Libby resigned from his job. Fitzgerald explained that telling the truth is vital for the justice system.
On March 6, 2007, Libby was found guilty of 4 out of 5 charges. Fitzgerald stated that he did not expect to file more charges in the case. Libby was sentenced to a fine and probation. President George W. Bush later changed Libby's prison sentence, but not the fine. In April 2018, President Donald Trump later gave Libby a pardon.
Conrad Black Case
On November 17, 2005, Fitzgerald brought criminal fraud charges against Conrad Black. Black was a former Canadian media mogul. The trial began in March 2007. Black was found guilty on July 13, 2007. He was later sentenced to federal prison and had to pay large fines.
RISCISO Indictments
On February 1, 2006, Fitzgerald's office announced charges against nineteen members of Risciso. This was a group involved in software and movie piracy. This prosecution was part of a secret investigation called Operation Jolly Roger. It was part of a larger effort by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to stop groups that illegally share copyrighted materials online.
Larry Nassar Investigation
In 2014, Fitzgerald was hired by Michigan State University. ..... However, he did not provide a written report with details of his findings.
Images for kids
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Patrick Fitzgerald's official photo.
