Gavin schools stop legal payments

Gavin school board officials have halted a payment of $1,942 to district lawyers, saying indicted board President Barb Mende should pay the fee out of her own pocket.

Board member Connie Thorsen said Mende should cover the added expenses logged by district lawyers. Attorneys for the firm of Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick and Kohn were called by Superintendent John Ahlemeyer after Mende was indicted by the Lake County state's attorney's office and the Illinois attorney general.

Thorsen said she demanded Mende pay the bill during a board meeting Tuesday night, but Mende refused.

Mende was unavailable for comment Thursday.

"This bill is because of (Mende's) own actions and not because of the school district," she said. "The taxpayers shouldn't have to pay this bill. She should."

Mende is facing a felony charge of theft over $10,000 in Lake County and a state official misconduct charge.

The misconduct charge came after Mende told a Park Ridge moving company to split a $13,000 bill before submitting it to the board. Attorney general officials said Mende's decision to split the bill was to avoid a competitive bidding process for hiring contractors as required by law.

Mende faces up to five years in prison on the misconduct charge.

In the Lake County case, Mende is accused of stealing $11,223 from the Lake County Fairground Association, where she was employed as head of payroll.

State's attorney officials said she frequently paid herself overtime she did not work, failed to collect payments from herself for insurance and did not collect a wage garnishment for a Cook County medical bill she was required to pay.

She faces up to seven years in prison on the theft charge.

Mende pleaded not guilty to both charges in November.

In the interim, a Lake County circuit judge has ordered Mende not to go to any casinos or make decisions regarding finances at Gavin.

Ahlemeyer said the law firm was contacted to ensure the district was acting appropriately regarding Mende's situation.

He said the law firm counseled school officials on what their response should be, answered questions regarding Mende's position on the board and helped draft a news release.

Thorsen said Mende should resign from the board, but Mende has said repeatedly she will remain on the board throughout the court process.