Better Government Association

Gov wants attorney general off subpoena disclosure case

Metro briefs

Posted by Rich Miller, Capitol Fax

March 2, 2007

Gov. Blagojevich wants to fire Attorney General Lisa Madigan as his lawyer in a freedom of information case. Blagojevich aides Thursday asked a Sangamon County judge to let them hire their own attorneys to resist disclosing federal subpoenas they've received. They say Madigan's office has sided with the governor's opponent. Lawyers for the Better Government Association, which sued Blagojevich in January when the administration refused to disclose subpoenas in a hiring investigation, said the law is clear: The attorney general alone decides whether to defend state clients. Last fall, Madigan's public access counselor wrote a letter to Blagojevich saying the subpoenas are public record and should be released. A hearing on the case is scheduled Monday.