From the Sun-Times: 
 
Daley picks new top sleuth 
 
September 9, 2005 
 
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter 
 
 A federal prosecutor who hunted down Chicago street gangs and once clerked for U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist was chosen by Mayor Daley on Thursday as the city's new inspector general, responsible for rooting out corruption. 
 
 David Hoffman, the 38-year-old deputy chief of the U.S. attorney's narcotics and gang section, joins an expanding circle of former federal prosecutors and retired police officers now surrounding Daley as the Hired Truck, city hiring and minority contracting scandals make their way up the ladder at City Hall. 
 
 Hoffman was recruited by Matt Crowl, another former assistant U.S. attorney now serving as Daley's deputy chief of staff. He'll be paid $107,304 a year. 
 
 "There are not going to be any federal prosecutors left if we keep hiring them for every vacancy," said Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th). 
 
"I got to know many of them -- just like state's attorneys," Daley said. "I worked with them before. ... They're very honest. They've done a tremendous job. . . . So I've asked them." 
 
'Part of my answer' 
 
 Determined to restore public confidence severely shaken by the scandals, Daley promised to "expand the power" and staff of an inspector general's office criticized as ineffectual under longtime sleuth Alexander Vroustouris. 
 
 He hinted strongly that the changes would compel city employees to report corruption and require department heads to act on the inspector general's disciplinary recommendations, something that did not always happen during Vroustouris' 16-year reign. 
 
 The inspector general also needs the latest technology to root out corruption and sufficient staff to audit contracts, the mayor said. 
 
 "This appointment comes at a time when questions have been raised about the integrity of this administration. I take these questions very seriously and very personally. I know the people of Chicago expect me to address these failures with real, tangible solutions. This appointment is part of my answer," Daley said. 
 
 "Inspector General Hoffman has my full support ... to root out and prevent misconduct, whether in hiring, contracts or wherever it occurs -- so the people of Chicago know we are ... putting their interests first. ... No one can change what's happened in the past. We can only take responsibility and learn from it." 
 
Hoffman began his new career challenge with an appeal to honest, hardworking city employees whose reputations have been tarnished by the scandals. 
 
 "If you see corruption, if you see fraud, if you see dishonest practices, let us hear from you. Do not accept it silently. ... You have the power to change things. ... I will take nothing more seriously than going after those who retaliate against employees courageous enough to turn in wrongdoers," he said. 
 
'I'd be reluctant' 
 
 Vroustouris was forced out in late June after chief of staff Ron Huberman, a former police officer, accused the inspector general of allowing corruption investigations to languish. 
 
 On Thursday, Daley would only say that Vroustouris "did a good job, but this is going to be a better job," in part because of the expanded power and resources he plans to give Hoffman. 
 
 But that is not a given. Chicago aldermen must agree to expand the inspector general's authority. 
 
 "He had a bunch of power and didn't use it. So I'd be reluctant to give anybody more power," said Ald. Howard Brookins (21st). 
 
 If the expanded authority includes the power to investigate aldermen, the answer will be the same as when Daley suggested it in 1990: no, said Ald. William Beavers (7th). "We've got enough people investigating us already." 
 
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