Winnebago County records under federal investigation
ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - Documents show that federal authorities are investigating Winnebago County expense records and have issued a subpoena for the county board chairman and auditor.
County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen and Auditor William Crowley were to testify Sept. 22 to a federal grand jury, according to subpoenas issued by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Schneider that the Rockford Register Star (http://bit.ly/1G9kX3Y ) obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Investigators also asked for county vendor contracts for mowing and snow removal, credit card statements and invoices from World's Finest Chocolate and Kelley Williamson Co., according to the documents.
No criminal charges have been filed against any county employees. Schneider had no comment when contacted by the newspaper.
Christiansen said county officials are cooperating and providing federal authorities with all requested information. Crowley said the county is conducting an internal audit and review.
"We're going to be thorough," Crowley said. "We're going to take our time and we're going to do it right."
County officials declined further comment because of the federal investigation.
On Sept. 11 the county's director of purchasing, Sally Claassen, resigned after an internal investigation found irregular purchasing procedures. She was put on paid administrative leave Aug. 3.
Documents the Rockford newspaper obtained under a separate FOIA request showed that the county withheld more than $52,000 in unpaid vacation and compensatory time from Claassen pending the conclusion of the investigation. The purchasing department is in charge of awarding bids and buying goods and services for the county.
Claassen did not have a listed home phone number and previously declined to comment to the Rockford newspaper.
Earlier this month Christiansen and Crowley announced the county would increase oversight on purchasing practices and launch a fraud hotline to report inappropriate activity.
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Information from: Rockford Register Star, http://www.rrstar.com