GOP chair's resignation a 'mockery'
The heated rivalry between McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi and County Treasurer Bill LeFew reached new highs -- or lows -- this week as the two traded shots of impropriety and political trickery amid LeFew's decision to step down as the county's Republican party chairman.
A day after the three-term GOP chairman stunned dozens of supporters with his resignation announcement, Bianchi on Friday labeled LeFew's actions a mockery to his role as a public servant.
"His pronouncement last night was a shameless political stunt meant to embarrass his political opponent," Bianchi said. "That's me."
LeFew said he believes he must resign as chairman because he has learned of complaints against Bianchi's office to the Illinois attorney general and Chicago Crime Commission. The complaints, he said, seek investigations into claims Bianchi's office spent taxpayer funds on political and personal expenses.
Bianchi on Friday expressed doubt such complaints exist, and the attorney general's office said it was not aware of any formal complaint against the state's attorney.
"As of today we have not received any complaints in our office regarding Mr. Bianchi," attorney general spokesman Robyn Ziegler said late Friday. "But that doesn't mean we will not receive one next week."
Crime Commission General Counsel Jeannette Tamayo declined to comment.
The allegations revolve around revelations last month that the state's attorney's office received more than $17,000 in taxpayer-funded reimbursements for candy, soda, ice cream, cookies, coffee, meals and other items since Bianchi took office in December 2004. Some of the reimbursements were for poinsettias for employees at Christmas, food for Bianchi's swearing-in luncheon and a new briefcase for the state's attorney.
Bianchi has defended vociferously his office's spending, saying his office used the funds for legitimate business expenses submitted to and approved by the county auditor.
LeFew said he believes an investigation would create a conflict for him because, as county treasurer, he could be asked to cooperate with an investigation while at the same time, as party chairman, his duty would be to support and protect the state's attorney, a fellow Republican.
Bianchi scoffed at LeFew's reasoning Friday, saying there is no legitimate reason he could not continue serving as party chairman and treasurer, even if asked to turn over spending records from the state's attorney's office.
"There is no conflict," he said. "It's a shameless ploy, and everybody sees through it."
Instead, Bianchi suggested the real motive behind LeFew's resignation are doubts about his chances of winning a fourth term as party chairman and the expected implementation of new party bylaws that some believe would curb his powers.
"I'm glad to see we will have new leadership in the Republican party," Bianchi said. "The people in the community were dissatisfied with his leadership. He was exclusive rather than inclusive, and people are excited about the change."