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Attorney General's Role Is Debated
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Nickles defended his position, saying that, as a veteran lawyer, he was concerned that suing the bank would prejudice the grand jury in the tax case and that the bank would not continue cooperating with the city by providing information. He said there was no statute of limitations in the case.
"I do not rush into a major league investigation without knowing what the facts are," Nickles testified.
Cheh also asked Nickles whether he stopped Singer from pursuing an independent investigation into the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a police vehicle on Wisconsin Avenue in her ward.
"I don't recall that matter," Nickles said. "In each case, the mayor made the decision." Then he added, "Ms. Cheh, with all due respect, you are trying to interfere."
Former attorney general Robert J. Spagnoletti and former council member Kathy Patterson, who once headed the council's judiciary committee, said that they were unaware of any previous cases in which interference from the general counsel in activities of the attorney general's office was an issue.
"It appears that the attorney general did not have the ability to say no," Patterson said. "It could mean that the best interests of the citizens were not served."
After the hearing, Nickles said Cheh was "trying to create this impression that the attorney general is a puppet. When we talk about what the mayor is going to do, we're all equal."
He said that he does not believe the council could "lawfully pass this bill" because it conflicts with provisions of the Home Rule Charter.
