Former DuPage forest preserve exec to be sentenced
A DuPage County judge Thursday reaffirmed his ruling from October when he found former DuPage County Forest Preserve District information technology manager David Tepper guilty of 27 charges of wrongdoing, including one of official misconduct.
In addition to the misconduct charge, Tepper, 51, of River Forest, was convicted on 26 charges of unlawful participation related to a case in which he and a vendor conspired to steal from the district.
When Tepper is sentenced Jan. 19 he faces either probation or two to five years in prison.
Tepper and former forest preserve IT Director Mark McDonald were accused of using a company they co-owned, Integrated Design Solutions, to bill the district for equipment and services that never were delivered.
McDonald, 55, of Wheaton, is awaiting trial.
Brennan ruled last month that Tepper broke the law in 2009 when he failed to disclose to the district that he was a commissioned agent for a digital services company - US Digital - that had been suggested to and hired by the district to install a new telephone system. Tepper then funneled that $80,000 commission into his and McDonald's company.
Tepper's attorney, Terry Ekl, argued Thursday that Tepper was required only to tell his boss, McDonald. Ekl said Tepper "never did anything to give the impression that he had nothing to do with US Digital."
"In fact," Ekl said, "he was silent."
Assistant State's Attorney Fred Flather said Ekl's explanation "defies logic."
Brennan agreed, ultimately denying Ekl's motion to vacate the guilty verdict.