Tollway settles suit from former I-PASS director

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority ended a two-year-long controversy with its former I-PASS chief by approving an $87,500 settlement Monday.

Scott Okun left the agency under a cloud in March 2006 when he resigned amid allegations he failed to follow proper procedures for hiring.

Okun had been suspended without pay earlier when tollway administrators accused him of not going through the state's centralized purchasing agency before choosing a printing company for an I-PASS mailer. Okun's cousin was a sales agent with the company.

But in a lawsuit Okun filed in fall of 2006, he contended that tollway bosses gave him the go-ahead to select the firm. In fact, the lawsuit claimed, the agency's purchasing department told him to seek bids on the mailer and the deal was approved by the operations department.

In the settlement, the tollway is not admitting any fault, Communications Chief Michael King said.

"The tollway is very stringent in following (Central Management Services) guidelines for procurement," he said.

Okun, who was paid $86,700 a year at the tollway as I-PASS director, said he was relieved to have closure.

"This was a challenging time that didn't have to happen," he said. "I hope this helps clear my name and my reputation."

The printing contract was worth about $50,000. Okun got three bids and picked the lowest, tollway authorities said.

The tollway learned about the issue from an anonymous complaint to the inspector general.

Okun will receive $75,000 of the settlement and his attorneys will receive $12,500.