Dist. 158 turns to state's attorney

The dust continues to settle in Huntley Unit District 158 after a series of revelations about a Nov. 13 closed-session meeting.

Superintendent John Burkey confirmed the district has filed a complaint with the McHenry County state's attorney in connection with the district's forensic audit.

At the same time, board member Larry Snow has confirmed he filed a complaint with the state's attorney Nov. 13 alleging that more than one current or former board member engaged in criminal misconduct.

The existence of Snow's complaint was revealed in a controversial Nov. 13 closed session.

The district's complaint alleges that one or more district officials authorized benefits they did not have the authority to grant, board Vice President Tony Quagliano said.

Snow said his letter alleges that board members signed contracts they were not authorized to sign.

Snow said the charge was a minor part of his complaint, but would not say what other misconduct he alleged.

"It's just careless acts," Snow said.

Snow would not reveal whom he named in his complaint, but his board colleagues say it names board member Mike Skala and other current or former board members.

Skala said he could not deny the specific allegations because he doesn't know what they are, but said the complaint doesn't worry him.

"I haven't done anything wrong, so why be worried about it?" Skala said, adding that no one has questioned him about the allegations.

Burkey would not say who was named in the district's complaint or when it was filed.

Snow said the district's complaint names at least one of the individuals he named.

"Everything in (the district's filing) is in my complaint," Snow said. "I just filed it earlier."

But other board members say the two filings are unrelated.

"Larry's filing is not in any way, shape or form related," board Vice President Tony Quagliano said. "Larry has his own complaint."

Burkey's revelation is surprising because Jefferson Wells' forensic audit concluded there was no evidence of fraud in the district's payroll and site and construction funds.

The district's actions appear to undermine the audit's conclusions, which Snow has blasted for lacking supporting documents.

The district's complaint also appears to undercut board President Shawn Green's recent statements expressing outrage at Snow's lodging a criminal complaint against Skala.

Green was part of the board consensus that directed Burkey to file a complaint with the state's attorney, board members said -- although it is not clear how similar the district's complaints are to Snow's.

Green could not be reached for comment.

The McHenry County state's attorney's office confirmed it has received letters alleging misconduct in District 158 but would not say who submitted the letters or who was named in them.

"No formal action by the office has been taken," said Thomas Carroll, first assistant McHenry County state's attorney. "It is in the stage of being reviewed."