Saturday, January 15, 2011

chicago: A Week's Worth of Corruption

http://chicagoist.com/2011/01/15/a_weeks_worth_of_corruption_1.php

If you care where our taxpayer money is going or are disillusioned with business as usual this post is not for you. It was another week of the Chicago Way. Over $3 million is being spent on fraud, waste and abuse, close to another million more if you count these clowns' pensions and benefits.
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas believes her clout entitles her to be treated like a princess. She has a personal chauffeur and maid earning $94,000 and $57,000 a year respectively (that's tax payer money).
    The problem is Pappas lied to the Cook County payroll of their job description. The chauffeur is labeled as a "Project Leader" designated to implement computer software applications to enhance business operations. The maid is labeled as an "Administrative Analyst" designated to supervise operation procedures and improve efficiency. Brought to you by the Better Government Association.
  • A company with zero employees and owned by a 97 year old woman was awarded a $2.5 million pest control contract with the city. The firm turned out to be a front for her son, the Sun Times reports:
    The front also has a connection to Electronic Knowledge Interchange, a technology consulting company that employs Mayor Daley's former budget director Bennett Johnson III, who received a $26 million no bid contract.
  • Thomas O'Connor, a once high ranking supervisor of the Department of Fleet Management, crashed a city owned vehicle while under the influence in 2006. He covered it up and was subsequently fired in October 2008:
    Despite being placed on the City of Chicago's "Do Not Rehire List" he snagged a $100,000 job as deputy director of facility management for the Chicago Park District three months later. Thanks again to the BGA.
  • And earlier this week the Sun Times reported that nine former city employees were paid $383,205 after they pleaded guilty or were found guilty in corruption cases.

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