Did Kane coroner break law with credit card use?
There is growing agreement among Kane County Board members that Coroner Rob Russell's use of a county-issued credit card to pay for office promotional items was “improper.” Whether its usage reaches the level of a crime might become a topic of discussion in coming weeks.
Auditor Terry Hunt used a flow chart of his office's expense authorization process Wednesday to support his belief that Russell charged about $6,000 to a credit card to circumvent a county board review of the expenses. Hunt placed a hold on the invoices for the promotional items to allow for additional review.
When the review languished, and the companies owed the debts began badgering Russell for payment, the coroner used his county card to pay the bills.
“That's improper use of a county credit card,” Hunt said.
Hunt said the collective $750,000 monthly limit on the 36 credit cards used in the various elected offices is a target for adjustment. The cards have never reached that monthly limit, to the best of Hunt's knowledge. The collective annual bill for the cards is typically about $500,000.
Cristina Castro is chairwoman of the committee that directly oversees Russell's budget. She said the county board will explore a proper punishment for Russell after addressing the immediate concern of the remaining cards in circulation. Of specific interest is determining whether the hot and cold packs, reflectors and other promotional items have a justifiable “government purpose.”
“Everyone can be subjective on whether the purchases were appropriate or not appropriate,” Castro said. “I think ‘crime' is too harsh. I wouldn't say crime. I think it's more of an improper use of a credit card, not a crime. When I think of crime, I think of something very illegal.”
County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen wasn't ready to rule out the idea of a crime being committed yet.
“You have the issue of a government or public purpose for the expense where you say, if it's not a public purpose, and he's spending the money, then (it's a) crime,” Lauzen said. “You ask if it was a crime. (Castro) and I think more in political terms, but there are folks out there who may speak more in terms of a crime. You don't want to take anything off the table yet.”
Russell, a former DuPage County Sheriff's officer, said he committed no crime. He purchased the promotional items to elevate the public image of an office that saw Russell's predecessor facing criminal charges. Items such as reflectors and hot and cold packs promote safety and health, Russell said. Those are two practices that will help the public avoid ending up in the coroner's office. Russell also pointed to a letter from the Kane County state's attorney's office saying the bills for the promotional items should be paid by the county.
“These items are about public awareness of this office,” Russell said. “These threats are about a personal vendetta against me. I just want to do my job.”