DuPage water commission treasurer resigns

Longtime DuPage Water Commission Treasurer Richard Thorn resigned Tuesday.

Thorn is the latest administrative casualty in the wake of a series of financial miscues that caused $19 million of the commission's reserves to be spent on operations. The commission's general manager, Bob Martin, resigned Friday.

The resignations follow the completion of a forensic audit report detailing how the money was accidentally spent. The report has not been made public. Those who have seen the report said it pins much of the blame on former financial administrator Max Richter, who also resigned late last year. However, the report also suggests a lack of oversight led to the financial mistakes that have since caused the commission to take out a $30 million loan to cover reserves and pay bills. The commission is also debating taking out a $40 million loan to cover construction debt that is coming due during the next two months.

Commissioners said the report suggests Thorn's post - which is currently a mostly symbolic position - should have some actual authority over the commission's finances in the future.

"Personally I would like to see an overhaul in the position of treasurer and I say that without casting any aspersions on Mr. Thorn," said Commissioner Tim Elliott. "This comes as a complete surprise. We wish Mr. Thorn luck in all his future endeavors and thank him for his years of service to the water commission."

Commissioner Frank Saverino said he also expects the next treasurer to have more authority. He also reiterated that he believes more commission administrators will resign as a result of the investigation.

"I guess (Thorn) felt the same way that Bob Martin felt that this happened on his watch," said Saverino, who also serves as Carol Stream village president. "There are more people who probably feel bad because they didn't do what they were supposed to do."

The commission's next meeting is scheduled for April 8. Elliott said he hoped the audit report would be made public by then and if it isn't, he ask that it be made public. The Daily Herald filed a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of the report late last week, but has yet to receive a response from the commission.