Former officials plead not guilty to kickback scheme at DuPage forest preserve
Two former administrators accused in a $150,000 kickback scheme at the DuPage County Forest Preserve District formally pleaded not guilty Tuesday.
Mark McDonald, 52, of Wheaton, and David Tepper, 49, of River Forest, were arraigned on 140 counts each of theft, conspiracy, accepting kickbacks and official misconduct, among other charges.
McDonald, the district's former information technology director, and Tepper, the district's former IT department head, are accused of running a six-year scheme involving Integrated Design Solutions, a company they co-owned.
Prosecutors said the company billed the district for more than $90,000 in equipment and services that were never delivered. McDonald and Tepper also are accused of plotting with a Glendale Heights technology contractor to overbill the district and steer subcontracts to their company. The scheme netted McDonald and Tepper more than $64,000 in kickbacks, authorities allege.
Attorneys for both men declined to comment Tuesday after appearing before Judge Blanche Hill Fawell.
McDonald and Tepper could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, Assistant State's Attorney Ken Tatarelis said. Their co-defendant, Alamach Technologies Inc. owner Arif Mahmood, 37, pleaded not guilty on Monday and would face up to 15 years if convicted.
All three men were indicted Nov. 1 and are due back in court Jan. 16.