Embattled DuPage water commission chief resigning

DuPage Water Commission General Manager Bob Martin is expected to resign today.

Martin's days were seemingly numbered after the commission was informed late last year that $19 million of the agency's reserve funds accidentally were spent by a former financial administrator under Martin's watch. The commission had to take out an emergency $30 million loan and is on the verge of borrowing $40 million more to make up for the financial miscues.

Martin's decision to resign came after more than two hours of closed door talks Thursday night between the commission and lawyers who oversaw a forensic audit of the commission's financial misfortunes, which reportedly places part of the blame on Martin. The auditor's report was released to the commission last week, but has yet to be made public or its contents even discussed publicly.

According to commissioners, Martin will receive six months severance pay amounting to more than $90,000, pay for any accrued vacation and medical coverage for a year.

Martin has been with the agency for more than 20 years and been at its helm since 2005, commission officials said. Commissioners said current manager of water operations Terry McGhee will become the agency's interim general manager.

For more details, check back later at dailyherald.com or read Saturday's Daily Herald.

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<li><a href="/story/?id=362305">DuPage Water Commission budget takes some heat <span class="date">[02/27/2010]</span></a></li>

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