Stu's lawyer speaks

Savvy Associated Press reporter Mike Robinson kept pounding away and finally got the first interview with Stuart Levine's new lawyer, a plea agreement specialist. He didn't say much but left the clear impression that Stu's plea will be made public soon.

"I can't comment on our direction right now, but I may be able to do so in the near future," Levine's newest attorney, Jeffrey B. Steinback, said in a telephone interview Wednesday night. He said that could be as soon as two hearings set for next month.

All eyes in Illinois politics will be following those hearings to see if public statements or documents are revealed that implicate the Governor or his top people.

Prosecutors plainly would like to hear anything Levine might say about what they charge were extortion, fraud and shakedowns and whether the trail of evidence leads into Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration.

If Stu has anything, expect an indictment or two later this month and a detailed plea agreement in September.

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