Zachary Fardon
Zachary Fardon, Latham Watkins, is a candidate to replace U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. (Handout / July 27, 2011)
By Christi ParsonsTribune reporter
2:44 p.m. CDT, March 17, 2013
Zachary Fardon, a former federal prosecutor who helped win the conviction of former Gov. George Ryan, is the leading candidate to become the next U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, a source told the Tribune today.
The White House declined to comment, noting that the internal selection process is still in motion. But a source familiar with the discussions said Fardon is the leading candidate to replace Patrick Fitzgerald, who resigned last year.
Fardon could not be reached for comment.
Fardon, a partner at the Latham & Watkins law firm, helped prosecute Ryan in 2006 as part of the Operation Safe Roads probe. Fardon, who grew up in Tennessee, also served in the No. 2 post in the U.S. attorney's office in Nashville before entering private practice.
Lori Lightfoot, another former federal prosecutor who was also considered a leading candidate, declined to comment when reached by phone today.
Lightfoot, a partner at the Chicago law firm of Mayer Brown, worked for the city of Chicago from 2002 to 2005. She headed the Police Department's Office of Professional Standards, which investigated complaints of misconduct by officers.
Fitzgerald stepped down in June after serving a record nearly 11 years as Chicago's chief federal prosecutor. He joined the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Chicago.
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cparsons@tribune.com
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