Critique of coroner's spending brings challenger's finances to the fore

In his bid to unseat longtime McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz, Democratic challenger David Bachmann has gone on the offensive against what he believes is wasteful spending by the incumbent Republican.

But his claims may inadvertently have shone the light on his own financial record, one that Lantz says shows him incapable of running her office.

Federal records show Bachmann filed for Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy in 1992 and again in 2001 while residing in Florida. The filings indicate Bachmann claimed he had unpaid liabilities of more than $59,000 in 1992 and another $71,000 in 2001.

Those filings, Lantz says, should raise questions about whether Bachmann has the financial wherewithal to manage the coroner's office and its $447,000 annual budget.

"It has happened not just once, it's happened twice," she said. "And I'm the one accused of being fiscally irresponsible?"

Bachmann, 48, of Hebron, says his past financial difficulties should not reflect on his ability to run the coroner's office effectively.

"It's nothing more than a legal tool," Bachmann said. "It has nothing to do with how I'm able to run a business."

The first bankruptcy, he said, came at the behest of his lawyer, who was trying to protect his assets during what Bachmann called an "ugly" divorce.

The second filing, he said, came after a 1994 car accident and 1999 plane accident left him with a huge medical debts out of which he was unable to dig himself.

"It's easy for people who've never been there to throw out the word 'bankruptcy,'" Bachmann said. "Quite frankly, at one time I would have thought the same thing. But you can't help an accident; you can't help that you have injuries."

Bachmann's financial criticism of Lantz centers on two issues: the creation of a viewing room during a complete renovation of the coroner's office several years ago and the office's staffing.

Bachmann believes he could run the office with one less deputy by taking on more work himself.

The viewing room, he said, was an unnecessary expense.

"I believe (Lantz) built a funeral home within the walls of the coroner's office," he said.

Lantz said the sparse viewing area - occupied by a few used chairs - simply was a matter of utilizing unused space.

"Sometimes families come in and want to see the remains," she said. "We dress (the body) and prepare them as best as possible so that they can have that time."

Lantz said Bachmann's plan to cut the office's staff is unrealistic, given its growing caseload.