"[When] the city clerk gets involved to that extent [in Walsh's dealings], it raises serious questions about impartiality toward that city councillor," Duehay said. "[That employee] may inadvertently be over influenced by that councillor."

Last spring, the city council voted in a special meeting not to renew Connarton's contract with the city.

While Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 said at the time that the primary reason for the clerk's dismissal was to improve the efficiency of the office, Duehay said that Connarton's private dealings with Walsh were considered. "Connarton made a mistake by investing with one city councillor," he said.

And Independent supporters say the CCA will use the Walsh scandal as an excuse to purge City Hall of Independent sympathizers. They allege that CCA councillors are likely to portray the Connarton dismissal as part of a move to clean up City Hall.

"At the time, [firing Connarton because of conflict of interests] didn't play a role, but now they'll turn it around to their political advantage," said Independent James J. McSweeney, who ran for council in last year's election.

Though Duehay would not comment on whether Connarton's dismissal was part of an anti-corruption campaign, he did say that Connarton's financial ties to Walsh were "a factor" in the final vote.

But observers say that no matter how the CCA acts in the wake of Walsh's arrest, the Independents will have to create a new image for themselves. The group, which has been the minority on the council since 1989, is often perceived as the epitome of old boy, back-door politics.

"Billy's political career is through," Koocher said. "Bill Walsh was part of a new age of issue-oriented articulation in council. But there will be a revised new age now."

The new Independents include Jane F. Sullivan, a close friend of Walsh, LaRosa and McSweeney, all seasoned political players. McSweeney and LaRosa say they had planned to run in the next election even before Walsh's indictment, but that now it won't be Independent politics-as-usual.

"The new Independent will be a person to come in, run for office and stay there for a short period of time," said McSweeney, who believes being a councillor is not a "lifetime job." "It will be a person who will not utilize their position to get ahead or increase their business."

However, both political camps admit the final impact of Walsh's case won't be clear until he is tried.