Crespo Leads Efforts to Prevent Future Grant Fraud

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - Following the sentencing of Chicago businessman Leon Dingle Jr. for defrauding $3 million in state grant funding, state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, pledges to continue building on the progress of reforms passed last year.

"Businessman Leon Dingle Jr. represents another embarrassing chapter in the corruption Illinois has faced in recent years," Crespo said. "Thankfully, we have made progress towards preventing these sorts of crimes in the future."

Following several high profile cases of the abuse and fraud of Illinois grant funds, Crespo worked on the bipartisan Illinois Single Audit Commission to develop steps that could be taken to strengthen the integrity of Illinois' grant programs. He then sponsored the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, which created the nation's strongest grant oversight protections. He collaborated with both Democratic and Republican Governors to implement his landmark piece of legislation. Crespo's Public Act 98-0706 increases the level of oversight to equal that of federal rules. As a result of Crespo's law, Illinois is the first state to create a comprehensive set of rules to apply over the life of a grant to ensure the integrity of the organizations receiving funds.

"Taxpayer dollars must be safeguarded to ensure they are going to their intended purpose, not vulnerable to the schemes of criminals," Crespo said. "My legislation has brought transparency to the grant application process and is helping restore security and the taxpayer's confidence in the way Illinois awards grant funding."