Search for U.S. attorney down to two
BY NATASHA KORECKI Political Reporter February 18, 2013 6:24PM
Chicago attorneys Zachary Fardon (left) and Lori Lightfoot — both former federal prosecutors — have reached the final stages in the select process to replace longtime U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who stepped down last year, sources said.
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Updated: March 20, 2013 6:40AM
The search for the next U.S. attorney in Chicago is now focused on two individuals — down from four.
Chicago attorneys Zachary Fardon and Lori Lightfoot — both former federal prosecutors — have reached the final stages in the quest to replace longtime U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, several sources with knowledge of the selection told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Last year, a bipartisan committee led by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) forwarded the names of four candidates to the White House. Attorneys Gil Soffer and Jon Bunge were also sent to the White House.
Both Fardon and Lightfoot had already been vetted by a local committee, and now have undergone additional White House scrutiny.
Fardon prosecuted George Ryan and was first assistant U.S. attorney in Nashville before going into private practice with Latham and Watkins in Chicago, where he is a partner. Lightfoot is one of the city’s leading African-American attorneys and was once the chief administrator at the Chicago Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards. Lightfoot is a partner with the Mayer Brown law firm.
Fardon would not comment, and Lightfoot could not be reached for comment late Monday.
