Press Releases

Today, the City of Chicago settled civil claims with Allied Waste Transportation Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Services, Inc, related to Allied’s long-running violations of Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) provisions in Allied’s waste hauling contracts with the City. The IGO offered a statement on the settlement. It is  available via downloadable … [Read More...]

During the City Council hearings on the City’s 2012 Budget in October and November 2011, City Departments submitted information to the City Council based on Aldermanic questions of the departments made prior to and during the hearings. The material includes each commissioner’s opening statement during the budget hearings and detailed information regarding departmental operations. Following … [Read More...]

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) released a report today on the City’s policy and process for issuing residency waivers for employees. For some years, the City has granted temporary waivers to the residency requirement for City employees. A recent IGO investigation prompted the IGO to review the waiver process, the City’s … [Read More...]

At the nearly two year mark of my term, the IGO continues to provide Chicago residents with an important service – guarding against waste, fraud, abuse, and inefficiency in City government. Over the past year, IGO audits and program reviews have identified more than $700,000 in lost or wasted City expenditures, operational inefficiencies that cost … [Read More...]

Earlier this year, the IGO completed an investigation into mileage reimbursement claims in the Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB). In short, the IGO found that in 2009 – just a one-year snapshot of what many in the CFD volunteered has been a decades-long practice – 54 FPB inspectors and supervisors conservatively stole approximately $100,000 taxpayer dollars … [Read More...]

On October 14, 2011, the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) transmitted its third quarter report for 2011 to the City Council and City officials. The report provides a summary of IGO activity from July 1 through September 30, 2011. “The IGO remains committed to operating as transparently as possible,” said Inspector General … [Read More...]

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) today released a review of TIF Public Benefits Clauses and Charitable Donations. Private charitable entities are sometimes named as beneficiaries in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) redevelopment agreements (RDAs) through the inclusion of “public benefits” clauses. Public benefits clauses are terms in TIF RDAs (as well as … [Read More...]

A southwest suburban woman who was authorized by the Illinois Department of Public Health to teach food service sanitation classes and administer state certification exams was convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery for accepting at least $79,650 in return for fraudulently arranging to provide bogus certificates for at least 531 individuals. The defendant, Maryanne Koll, … [Read More...]

Today, the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) released a review of World Business Chicago’s (WBC) involvement in the City’s approval of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) proposals. The IGO report found that WBC staff advocated for the approval of significant TIF subsidies for two major corporations–CME Group and United Air Lines–despite the fact … [Read More...]

In 2009, 2010, and 2011, in the face of large budget deficits, one cost cutting strategy of the City of Chicago has been to require a portion of the City’s workforce to take unpaid time off (this strategy is commonly known as furloughs). Our review revealed that the furlough program has not resulted in a … [Read More...]

On Friday, July 15, 2011, the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) transmitted its second quarter 2011 report to City officials and residents. The report summarizes IGO activities over the last quarter, which includes the transition period between the Daley and Emanuel administrations. Specifically, it includes narrative summaries of IGO investigations and policy … [Read More...]

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) yesterday transmitted a report to the City concerning overtime and holiday premium payments to certain “exempt” members of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD). The review had two primary findings. First, the CFD has been providing overtime, holiday premium payments, and other benefits to certain “exempt” CFD … [Read More...]

Today, the IGO released a follow up review of the City’s Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) program. This follow-up report details changes in the program over the past year, the challenges the program still faces, and recommendations for the new administration and City Council to consider in rebuilding the program to make it function … [Read More...]

Inspector General Joe Ferguson released the following statement on Deputy Inspector General Soo Choi being named the Commissioner for the City’s Department of Human Resources by Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel: “Today, Mayor-elect Emanuel announced Deputy Inspector General Soo Choi as his nominee to be the next Commissioner of the City’s Department of Human Resources. Ms. Choi … [Read More...]

On Thursday, April 14, the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) submitted its first quarter 2011 report to City officials and residents. “This is the fifth narrative quarterly report I’ve sent to the City, and I believe it should encourage all Chicagoans to know we continue to root out waste, fraud, abuse, and … [Read More...]

The IGO released an audit of the City’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) today. The IGO performed an audit of payments disbursed by OEMC from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009 in order to review contract management and pay disbursement procedures. In seeking to determine whether OEMC had effective and efficient operations … [Read More...]

Citing the importance of promoting and enhancing transparency in City government Inspector General Joe Ferguson today announced “Open Chicago,” a new transparency initiative. Hosted on the City of Chicago’s Office of Inspector General’s (IGO) newly redesigned website, the initiative is aimed at increasing the public’s understanding of City government and to further the IGO’s mandate … [Read More...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) released a report today stating that the City publicly overstated savings realized from its furlough program by $11.05 million. Additionally, the IGO report found that the furlough program will result in increasing the funding shortfall of City employees’ pension funds by approximately $24.55 … [Read More...]

A former Chicago woman who provided extraordinary cooperation in Operation Crooked Code, a federal public corruption investigation of the City of Chicago building permit process, avoided prison and was sentenced today to three years of probation. The defendant, Catherine Romasanta, testified in four federal trials about how she paid bribes to city inspectors on behalf … [Read More...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE On Thursday, January 13, the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) submitted this year’s fourth quarterly report to Chicago’s elected officials and residents. “This report provides Chicagoans with a better understanding of how their City government works,” said Inspector General Joseph Ferguson. “It details the IGO’s interaction with City government … [Read More...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE In response to a series of investigations concerning violations of the City’s gift policy (Section 2-156-040 of the City of Chicago’s Ethics Ordinance), the IGO is recommending that the Mayor institute a City-wide “no-gifts” policy. “In examining gift related cases my office has investigated over the past year alone, it is clear … [Read More...]

A City of Chicago building inspector was sentenced today to three years in federal prison after being convicted at trial in September on bribery charges for accepting two $1,000 cash bribes from a cooperating contractor and demanding two $2,000 cash bribes from developers to approve inspections at residential and commercial construction sites, federal law enforcement … [Read More...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A former general contractor was sentenced to 5 years of probation today in federal court. Padraig Gravin pled guilty to bribery charges on March 2, 2010 for trying to pay a $500 bribe to a City official. The bribe was meant to secure a favorable inspection related to the issuance of a … [Read More...]

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) released an audit of cash handling and sticker inventory procedures of the Clerk’s Cicero/Archer South Side Satellite Office. The audit stemmed from an IGO investigation referred by the City Clerk’s Office. Noting concerns of systemic irregularities at a satellite office under a previous City Clerk, the … [Read More...]

A City of Chicago employee was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison today. Mario Olivella, 43, has been a supervisory plumbing inspector for the City’s Department of Buildings since 1998. A federal jury found him guilty in January of two counts of bribery and conspiracy for taking bribes to overlook code violations at a … [Read More...]

The Office of Inspector General (IGO) today released an audit of overtime performed at the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA). The audit, which examined CDA overtime from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, was performed in order to determine whether the CDA had effective and efficient controls for overtime pay and distribution, and to … [Read More...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Office of Inspector General (IGO) today issued a report recommending that the City consider implementing an integrated, fleet-wide Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system that tracks the movement of on-duty taxicabs. The program review and report was prompted by a recent hit-and-run incident allegedly involving a taxicab that resulted in the death … [Read More...]

A former vice president of a refuse container repair company was found guilty today in U.S. District Court on four counts relating to his scheme to defraud the City of Chicago.

Following a City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) investigation, an indictment has been filed in the Ciruit Court of Cook County charging a former City of Chicago contractor with four counts of theft from City of Chicago.

A City of Chicago employee was sentenced to 21 months in prison today for bribery. Tom Ziroli, a 64 year old former Ventilation Inspector with the Department of Buildings, was also sentenced to two years of supervised release, a $15,000 fine, an additional $100 special assessment, and will be required to pay back $500 in … [Read More...]

A former senior inspector with the City of Chicago Department of Environment was sentenced to one year and one day in prison yesterday.

A former superintendent in the City’s Department of Streets and Sanitation was sentenced to 364 days in the Cook County Department of Corrections today. Anish Eapen, 39, was found guilty after on June 24 on multiple counts of vote fraud for attempting to persuade voters in the 50th Ward to vote by absentee ballot in … [Read More...]

A fourteen count indictment has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County charging a former City of Chicago employee with eight counts of theft, four counts of official misconduct, and two counts of obstruction of justice.

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO) and the United States Attorney’s Office announced that a City of Chicago Zoning Investigator was sentenced to 31 months in prison today to be followed by two years of supervised release as a result of his conviction for accepting a $500 bribe in exchange for providing … [Read More...]

A ward superintendent for the City’s Department of Streets and Sanitation and another man were convicted today for their attempts to tamper with absentee ballots and influence the results of the 2007 aldermanic elections. The case is the result of a joint investigation by the City of Chicago Inspector General’s Office and Cook County States … [Read More...]

The former president of a Schaumburg based business admitted in federal court today to participating in a scheme to win a City contract using fraudulent documents and inflated bids. Douglas E. Ritter was to go on trial later this month, along with co-defendant Steven Fenzl, for multiple charges outlined in an April 2009 indictment. The … [Read More...]

A former Department of Cultural Affairs worker entered a guilty plea today in Cook County Criminal Court, as part of an agreement with prosecutors. Ming Liu (now Ming Liu Bengtsson) was indicted last August for felony theft, forgery, and official misconduct, following an investigation by the Chicago Inspector General’s Office.

Inspector General Joe Ferguson issued a statement today strongly supporting the Mayor’s proposal to expand the IGO’s jurisdiction to include oversight for City Council and the City’s hiring practices.

Following a joint investigation by the Chicago Inspector General’s Office and the FBI, a federal grand jury today returned a six-count indictment against a City contractor, as well as its owner and her spouse on felony fraud charges. Azteca Supply Co., a certified minority-and-woman-owned enterprise for the City of Chicago, is accused of receiving more … [Read More...]

The former head of a non-profit social service organization pled guilty today in Cook County Circuit Court to one count of felony theft of government funds. Patti Buffington, 51, of Chicago was arrested in October 2006 and charged for the misappropriation of city, state, and federal funds provided to Genesis House – an organization that … [Read More...]

Members of the City Council voted unanimously to confirm Joseph Ferguson as the new Inspector General of the City of Chicago. Ferguson takes the position after spending more than 15 years in the United States Attorney’s Office, most recently serving as Chief of the Money Laundering and Forfeiture Section. He had worked previously in that … [Read More...]

The Inspector General’s Office (IGO) for the City of Chicago filed an action in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, to enforce a subpoena for documents that the IGO served on the City’s Department of Law. The IGO took this step because the Law Department has not complied with the … [Read More...]

A City of Chicago zoning inspector has pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. In exchange for his cooperation, federal prosecutors are recommending that William Wellhausen be sentenced to 15 months in prison and pay fines totaling more than $33,000.

A criminal complaint has been unsealed against Michael Cease, an inspector in the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment. Cease is charged with federal bribery for allegedly accepting two cash bribe payments totaling $1,150 in September. The 39-year-old was arrested following an investigation by the City of Chicago Inspector General’s Office and the FBI.

A City of Chicago building inspector was arrested and charged in a federal criminal complaint for allegedly accepting cash bribes. The complaint alleges Dominick Owens took more than $20,000 in bribes, in return for delivering Certificates of Occupancy for numerous construction projects.

A jury in U.S. District Court has convicted Michael Reese, a Supervising Building/Construction Inspector for the City of Chicago, on two counts of making false statements and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud. Reese becomes the 12th person convicted as part of “Operation Crooked Code”, a joint investigation between the Department of Justice and … [Read More...]

The Cook County State’s Attorneys Office announced a four-count indictment today against a former employee of the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs. During the course of an unrelated investigation in July 2008, the Inspector General’s Office discovered a copy of a $20,000 check, made out to the defendant, Ming Liu. Because the check’s signature was … [Read More...]

A city of Chicago building inspector was arrested today on federal charges for allegedly accepting a $1,000 cash bribe from a cooperating contractor to approve an inspection at a residential construction site. Jose Hernandez allegedly solicited cash bribes totaling tens of thousands of dollars from contractors, developers and homeowners since at least 2005, according to … [Read More...]

The Illinois Reform Commission (IRC) issued its 100-day report today, recommending a wide range of ethics reforms in six key areas: campaign finance; procurement; enforcement; government structure; transparency; and inspiring better government. The Commission was chaired by former U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins, and members include City of Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman.

A Chicago grand jury indicted the president and vice president of an Illinois refuse disposal container repair company for engaging in a conspiracy and scheme to defraud the city of Chicago on a contract for the repair of refuse carts. Douglas E. Ritter and Steven Fenzl were charged in a four-count indictment, the U.S. Department … [Read More...]

The Illinois Reform Commission (IRC), whose members include City of Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, today announced a series of reform proposals covering campaign finance, procurement, enforcement and transparency.

Fifteen defendants, including property owners and developers, contractors and seven City of Chicago inspectors were arrested on federal bribery charges, most of them for allegedly exchanging cash payments and other benefits with a former corrupt “expediter” relating to various city building, zoning and related permit matters, federal law enforcement officials and the city’s Inspector General … [Read More...]

Three City of Chicago inspectors and a private contractor have been arrested on federal bribery charges for allegedly exchanging cash payments with an undercover former city employee relating to various city building and permit matters, federal law enforcement officials and the city’s Inspector General announced today. A series of three arrests began Monday night and … [Read More...]