Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Washington Office of Justice Department Never Mentioned in Huntley School Board’s Discussion of Invitation to U.S. Attorney to Probe District Finances
On August 22nd, when Huntley School District 158 outside auditor Tim Cole finished his presentation about forensic audits and Superintendent John Buckley agreed to work on the request for qualifications, board member Larry Snow brought up how the district should send a letter to the United States Attorney’s Office as well.
I have written previously on Snow’s argument that it could save local taxpayers money if Patrick Fitzgerald decided to run an investigation.
“And parallel to that (the forensic audits) is to ask the U.S. Attorney’s Office to come in and do our work for us,” Snow said.
“They have subpoena power,” he observed, following up on comments that a forensic auditor would not be able to obtain construction expenditure records, which the construction management firm did not wish to share.
“A contractor could say, ‘We do not want you to look at our records,” Snow continued. “Too bad.”
Board member Kim Skaja then said,
Berkey replied, “Certainly.”
Outside auditor Cole then added,
I went back and found my notes because I could not understand why Superintendent Burkey sent the request for a federal investigation to Washington, instead of Chicago.
I still can’t understand, but maybe I will once District 158 fulfills my Freedom of Information request for a copy of the letter. (Most pages arrived late Tuesday afrernoon.)
And, what if the Huntley School District is one of the six parts of the Chicago Crime Commission's report to the U.S. Attorney and FBI?
I have written previously on Snow’s argument that it could save local taxpayers money if Patrick Fitzgerald decided to run an investigation.
“And parallel to that (the forensic audits) is to ask the U.S. Attorney’s Office to come in and do our work for us,” Snow said.
“They have subpoena power,” he observed, following up on comments that a forensic auditor would not be able to obtain construction expenditure records, which the construction management firm did not wish to share.
“A contractor could say, ‘We do not want you to look at our records,” Snow continued. “Too bad.”
Board member Kim Skaja then said,
I think Mr. Burkey should draft a letter and make the best case we can to bring them in.“This is your responsibility?” board member Rosemary Herringer asked.
Berkey replied, “Certainly.”
Outside auditor Cole then added,
Typically when the U.S. Attorney gets involved, there has to be a crime, a federal crime.“If they chose not to, then we have the advantage of knowing that,” Snow said, concluding the discussion on the matter.
They come in and take whatever they want and look at it as long as they want and give it back to you whenever they want.
We certainly wouldn’t issue an opinion if the U.S. Attorney is involved.
I went back and found my notes because I could not understand why Superintendent Burkey sent the request for a federal investigation to Washington, instead of Chicago.
I still can’t understand, but maybe I will once District 158 fulfills my Freedom of Information request for a copy of the letter. (Most pages arrived late Tuesday afrernoon.)
And, what if the Huntley School District is one of the six parts of the Chicago Crime Commission's report to the U.S. Attorney and FBI?
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Re: "And, what if the Huntley School District is one of the six parts of the Chicago Crime Commission's report to the U.S. Attorney and FBI?"
I would applaud.
And hope that action is taken.
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I would applaud.
And hope that action is taken.
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