The wit of Fitzgerald.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/06/02/late-nite-fdl-have-you-heard-the-one-about/

While we bide our time waiting for the frogmarch, on occasion we are treated to moments of that rare Fitzgerald wit that neither Scooter Libby nor Karl Rove are probably quite so appreciative of at the moment. Leslie in CA brings up this bit of amusement from the Hollinger case regarding defendant John Boultbee:

Mr. Boultbee, who lives in Victoria, recently asked to be excused from a court hearing in Chicago in order to attend a Canada Day barbecue and dance at the Victoria Golf Club, where he is a member.

The hearing, slated for June 30, is a "status hearing" in the criminal case involving Mr. Boultbee and other former executives of Chicago-based Hollinger International Inc. They face several fraud charges over allegations they stole more than $80-million (U.S.) from the company. Mr. Boultbee and the others have pleaded not guilty and none of the allegations have been proved.

Canada Day "is a time when people enjoy the camaraderie of friends and family," Mr. Boultbee’s lawyers said in a court filing. "As July 1st is a Saturday, Canada Day is celebrated this year on June 30th, the day of the hearing. A party at the defendant’s club , for which he has paid in advance, is scheduled for June 30th."

Fitzgerald was remarkably unmoved by Boultbee’s pressing need to barbecue, as he was the crying about undue financial hardship:

In a court filing, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said defendants are often required to attend these types of hearings to ensure they "appreciate the seriousness of the charges." Mr. Boultbee’s request, Mr. Fitzgerald said, "demonstrates a gross lack of appreciation by this defendant of the gravity of these proceedings."

In the filing, Mr. Fitzgerald also called Mr. Boultbee’s complaints about the trip’s cost "frivolous."

"Obviously, the government did not select the Chicago-based location of the company that defendant chose to defraud," the filing alleges.

And as JoyB reminds us, it calls to mind this famous Fitzgerald snark during a press conference on the Hired Truck Scandal:

QUESTION: Given the risk to Mr. Laski’s career and his reputation, his sense of honesty here, it doesn’t seem like a whole heck of a lot of money.

FITZGERALD: I’m not going to disagree with you. If what we allege is true, it’s wrong for people to take bribes — it may also be stupid, but we’re in the business of what’s prosecuting what’s wrong.

I’m always happy when the call goes out across the Plame-o-sphere of "new Fitz filing." He’s always good for a caustic jab or two.

[im10ashus]

1. Brilliant.

Just absolutely brilliant!

K&R!!

[Missy Vixen]

2. Ahhhh. A little snark on a Saturday morning.

I'm sure that the $80 million Mr. Boultbee and his fellow executives allegedly helped themselves to (allegedly,) would more than pay for the rental of a corporate jet to get him to the barbecue later that day. Plus, he has the added advantage of being two hours behind in Victoria...;-)
It's practically a wash!

In the meantime, Mr. Boultbee, welcome to your worst nightmare. Remember, this hurts him so much more than it will ever hurt you.



Julie
PDT/PST since 1960
edited for inartful spelling

[madrchsod]

3. it`s been a painful pleasure to watch fitzgerald

slice and dice the crooks in this state. although the politicians in this state get all the headlines ,he and his team has brought down several major drug organizations and a banking scam. up next in illinois is the democratic mayor and governor. there`s never a dull moment in the land of lincoln...

[11cents]

4. Guess I'm alone in finding FDL's Fitz-fangirliness

... kind of ridiculous. Please, ma'am, just the facts. And if there are no facts to be had -- than that's the way that the so funny! so cute! Fitz! wants it.

[Missy Vixen]

8. I think it's refreshing

>Please, ma'am, just the facts.<

If you are a reader of FDL, you would have obviously noted that Jane, Christy and their contributors do an amazing job of bringing the facts on a daily basis.

I don't mind being a PJF fangirl, either. Then again, I've always loved men who are brilliant, cute, thoughtful, and can laugh at themselves.

Julie

[H2O Man]

5. Interesting.

This morning when I was writing about the newest court filings, I had gotten out a book "Irish Wit and Humor," published in 1871. It is a collection that includes stories about three of the best Irish attorneys, and one priest. Each of the four shares some of the qualities of Mr. Fitzgerald.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. H2O Man - did you ever read this Chicago Mag article about

him ? http://www.chicagomag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=PubPagi&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle+Title&mid=61BFC65300D24DB58350C761094153A1&tier=4&id=139938B2E6644C97B59B7A20675CA560


excerpt:
"One thing that Patrick Fitzgerald can tell you is how to avoid a waxy buildup on your floors. He worked as a janitor to help pay his way through college, and he took it very seriously. He studied it. He learned the secrets to excellent custodial care.

He also worked as a doorman for an apartment building, just as his old man did. His mom and pop were Irish immigrants; Fitzgerald grew up a good Irish Catholic boy in working-class Brooklyn, with a brother and two sisters. His smarts and grades got him into a prestigious Jesuit high school, then Amherst College, where he made Phi Beta Kappa while earning a degree in math and economics, and Harvard Law, class of '85."

[H2O Man]

7. Thanks for that.

I had not read that before.

[Catherine Vincent]

9. I sure can't wait til Fitzgerald calls Karl Rove an evil bastard

in so many words, as he called the defendant in the OP as stupid. :evilgrin: