The FBI is investigating allegations that Forest Preserve District of DuPage County contracts went toward a Chicago-based technology firm Alamach Technologies Inc., benefitting two former district employees, according to the Daily Herald and Better Government Association.
The former employees worked in the district's Information Technology department. The district that two administrative employees were suspended without pay for "possible misuse of taxpayer funds and/or resources." District officials said in November they had no further comment while authorities reviewed the issue.
One of the employees resigned Nov. 7 and the other was terminated on Nov. 15.
Between November 2009 and October 2011, the district paid Alamach more than $488,000 for consulting and other technology services, according to the Daily Herald and BGA report. The contracts go back at least a year and were worth about $12,000 a month, the Daily Herald reported Nov. 24.
Public records show Alamach was dissolved in May, according to the report.
The district employs approximately 306 full-time and 45 part-time employees, with administrative at 3S580 Naperville Rd. in Wheaton.
The district in June launched a "" on its website that allows the public to search information regarding district spending, salaries, taxes and fees, lobbyists, meeting minutes and agendas and FOIA requests.
Read the full report on the Daily Herald website.
Send him and the Commissioners your questions to forest@dupageforest.com
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1017 or http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1017&pid=49313 And concerned citizens are encouraged to register on the site for free and make comments about President Pierotti and the 6 Commissioners. The video of another citizen (Jean Range of Wheaton, IL) speaking out and criticizing President Pierotti at last Tuesday's meeting is now available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTgdHqevUU Let the President, Commissioners and local media know that you share her concerns about President Pierotti and the Commissioners failure to answer our questions. Send emails to forest@dupageforest.com, Lombardian@sbcglobal.net, news@dailyherald.com, fencepost@dailyherald.com, doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com, QuestPublishing@aol.com, mcolosimo@mysuburbanlife.com, jmoore@mysuburbanlife.com, letters@mysuburbanlife.com, letters@tribune.com, publisher@buglenewspapers.com and emistretta@dailyherald.com
Like in Cook County where it is controlled by the Dems the DuPage County problems are caused by one political party in total control. The Republican control of the Forest Preserve District with the 6 weak Commissioners (really 5 since Commissioner Joe Cantore District 2 rarely attends) is a lot like the Cook County Board when Todd Stroger was in control! Sad but true. Since the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County was separated from the DuPage County Board they have allowed these questionable practices: $ Annual salaries of more than $53,000 with a taxpayer subsidized pension and full time benefits for a part time job. $ Hiring of family members for well paying jobs. $ Award of millions of our tax dollars in non-competitive contracts. $ Accepted unlimited campaign donations from companies doing business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. We need a better Forest Preserve District in DuPage County! Please tell any like minded voter you know in DuPage County about these abuses! It can change with new Commissioners elected on 11/6/12
Thank you to Adam Morgan of Chicagoland Outdoors http://www.chicagonow.com/chicagoland-outdoors/2012/09/trouble-in-the-forest-fbi-looks-into-dupage-preserve-scandal-district-president-goes-on-angry-tirade/#comment-5 for taking the time to cover this important story. The FBI's investigation of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, the closed door meeting the President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County had with the Chairman of DuPage County and the big bonuses paid to the former Executive Director are excellent reasons why we should ask questions. If we (concerned citizens) don't ask questions no one will because the Commissioners have not asked one. Let President Pierotti yell, make false accusations and insult the concerned citizens but at the very least please answer our questions. Please pass this along!