Fitzgerald to Peraica: Do I Know You?

By Prescott Carlson in News on Sep 6, 2008 9:29PM

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has fired off a letter to Tony Peraica's office, a bit peeved over a door-hanger flier that he feels implies his endorsement of Peraica in his run for State's Attorney. The flier has the tag line "U.S. Attorney's Office Needs Help Fighting Corruption in Cook County" underneath photos of the two men. Fitzgerald's letter emphasizes that he has not endorsed any candidate, and especially not one that "[he did] not believe [he has] yet had occasion to meet." Peraica denies he was trying to imply any endorsement, rather was just blowing kisses to his hero:

[Peraica] lavished praise on Fitzgerald and said he only meant to emulate his corruption-busting approach.

"It is because of your example and that of your office that the public in Cook County has come to believe that some government officials actually care to protect the public against political corruption," Peraica said. "It is only with admiration that I seek to follow your example."

A spokesman for his opponent Anita Alvarez slammed him for being misleading, while the Green party candidate Thomas O'Brien was all, uh, can we maybe just focus on stuff like the increase in shootings and the death penalty? What, you mean the issues?! Oh, you silly Green party candidate! [S-T]