U.S. Attorney's Office Also Says Former Death Row Inmate Who Was Tortured May Not Be Off Hook

CHICAGO - Once a respected police detective, Burge has become the poster child for police brutality. Now, just a year after state investigators called the cases too old to take to court, federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, known for always getting his man, has Burge clearly in his sights.

”We do officially confirm that the U.S. Attorney’s office is conducting a criminal investigation into allegations of perjury, false statements and obstruction of justice,” Fitzgerald said Wednesday.

That investigation is in connection with a case filed by Madison Hobley, who was convicted of arson and murder and sentenced to death after allegedly setting a fire that killed seven people in 1987. Hobley’s confession to officers working under Burge was allegedly the result of torture.

”You hook the alligator clips to nose, genitals, whatever, crank, electricity shocks you. This is what at least 25 victims of police torture, Burge used the box on,” said attorney Flint Taylor.

Hobley was freed and pardoned by Governor George Ryan when he emptied death row.

Fitzgerald also revealed that he’s taking another look at the fire that sent Hobley to jail in the first place.

Hobley’s attorney said that shouldn’t affect a pending $14 million dollar civil suit settlement.
”I thought we had a deal a year ago,” said attorney Kurt Feuer.

But then as a letter shows, the city found out about the feds’ new investigation of Hobley. That’s why the deal’s been stalled, corporation counsel Mara Georges implied Wednesday.

The victims’ attorneys claim the revelations about Hobley were meant to divert attention from the real news about Burge.

”It only strengthens their cases, and hopefully one of the main things our clients want and what we want is there finally will be indictments and prosecutions of the torturers at Area 2,” Taylor said.

Fitzgerald rarely if ever talks about pending cases. Dropping two bombshells in one day is unprecedented. And while he didn’t mention Burge or Hobley by name, they are undoubtedly the key figures, and could explain why the city’s been dragging its feet, rather than settling Hobley’s lawsuit. They are perhaps refusing to make Hobley a multi-millionaire if there’s a chance he’ll again be charged with arson and murder.

Source: Reported by CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine. CBS Broadcasting Inc. 09/27/2007.