Public defender seeks open hearing on his firing

Cook County Public Defender Edwin Burnette called on President Todd Stroger Thursday to make public and open to the press Burnette's May 20 disciplinary hearing.

Burnette, whom Stroger is trying to fire, has called the proceedings illegal, contending that state statute calls for Burnette's office to be independent.

Burnette submitted a list of witnesses he wants to call at his hearing, including attorney Rich Velazquez.

Velazquez was initially put on Burnette's payroll last year by Stroger, but did no work for the public defender's office, even though, critics say, the office is understaffed. Instead, Velazquez worked directly for Stroger's office.

Eventually, Velazquez's salary was transferred to Stroger's office. Stroger's spokesman Gene Mullins declined to comment on the matter, citing pending litigation.

Burnette's attorney, Paul Mollica, said public defendants would suffer if Burnette were removed mid-term. A better solution would be to let Burnette serve out his term, which ends next year, before replacing him, Mollica said