Prosecutor won't help impeach Blagojevich

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A legislative committee in Illinois considering the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich will not get help from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.

The federal prosecutor, who charged the governor with corruption last month, told the committee Monday he does not want to compromise his investigation, the Chicago Tribune reported. That means he will not provide witnesses or documents to the special committee of the Illinois House.

In his letter, Fitzgerald specifically said he would not give the committee the names of witnesses identified in affidavits by code name, the Springfield State Journal-Register reported.

Fitzgerald had not yet decided whether his office can give the committee tapes of wiretapped conversations.

The prosecutor said the committee could focus on issues not involved in the criminal charges against Blagojevich, including allegations he hired and fired state employees illegally.