Well, let's see who gets richer off this.

Special Prosecutors are appointed from the private bar. They come from law firms selected by the Attorney General whose office approves their billing. The "special prosecutor" includes the named person, and any associates. paralegals and clerks assisting the named person. As a result, such an appointment is not a cash cow, but a cash herd of cattle for the firm involved.

In this situation special prosecutor is a misnomer, as the named person doesn't prosecute anyone. Independent investigator is closer to the truth, but still not fully correct. The named person is given a specific charter to "determine whether....." and whether that determination is sufficient to seek an indictment is still a decision by the appropriate government prosecutor (in this case, AG Holder or a subordinate U.S. Attorney).

What is for certain: 1) this investigation will take time; 2) it will cost a lot of money; 3) it will be done under the name of a specific partner in a law firm selected sole-source by the Attorney General; and 4) the results won't be released (if ever) until it is politically expedient to do so.