McFarland Refused To Speak With Inspector General: Attorney

JOLIET, IL — On Thursday, Patrick W. Walsh, a Hinsdale lawyer in private practice, issued a statement on behalf of Joliet Inspector General Sean Connolly, who is now facing a defamation lawsuit from former Joliet City Councilman James "Jim" McFarland.

McFarland retained Plainfield lawyer John Schrock to sue the city of Joliet, Mayor Bob O'Dekirk and Connolly, accusing them of defamation in regard to Connolly's March 1 inspector general's report. McFarland is accused in the report of fabricating a story against O'Dekirk, suggesting that O'Dekirk had obtained photos of Joliet City Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson's genitals to use to blackmail Dickinson back in 2020.

On Thursday, Walsh furnished Joliet Patch the following statement in regard to his legal representation of Connolly, who is an attorney in private practice in Westmont.

"On Thursday, March 23, 2023, Inspector General Connolly was made aware of the lawsuit filed by former Joliet City Councilman James McFarland.

"First and foremost, Inspector General Connolly will not be intimidated or bullied out of fulfilling his duties as Joliet’s Inspector General. Inspector General Connolly has not made any false or defamatory statements against Mr. McFarland. The evidence will show that Mr. McFarland refused to speak with the Inspector General about the investigation.

"If Mr. McFarland does not dismiss his complaint after the elections, the judicial process will permit the Inspector General’s counsel to finally ask Mr. McFarland questions under oath about the facts, his reputation, and what his role was in all matters raised by the complaints.

"Mr. McFarland will now be required to answer questions under oath. The Inspector General will not be intimidated by a lawsuit that was filed 12 days before an election. Inspector General Connolly has never acted unethically or outside his authority."

According to his law firm bio, Connolly is also a colonel in the United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he currently serves as commander with the 117th Legal Operations Detachment in Arizona.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Ex-Councilman James McFarland Files Defamation Suit Vs. Mayor O'Dekirk

'This Is A Big Black Eye On The City Of Joliet,' Jan Quillman Declares

'Wrongly Accused' Joe Clement Blasts Ex-Joliet Chief, Deputy Chief

Ex-Chief, Ex-Deputy Chief Conspired To Damage Mayor: IL State Police

Mudron: Dickinson Wanted To Get Ahead Of Private Parts Photo Scandal