The Cook County state’s attorney’s office has opened an investigation to determine whether Calumet City Ald. Thaddeus Jones misused taxpayer and campaign funds during last year’s trip to a Miami film festival.
READ THE STORY: A LONG, STRANGE TRIP
The Better Government Association recently reported that Jones – who also is a Democratic state representative – appeared to receive taxpayer reimbursement for his 2012 South Beach hotel stay even though government records indicate that his aldermanic campaign fund picked up the tab.
The state’s attorney’s public corruption and financial crimes unit contacted the BGA shortly after the publication of a March 6 story about Jones. A prosecutor from the unit indicated he was initiating an investigation.
However, it couldn’t be determined how far the unit’s inquiry has progressed, and how seriously prosecutors are looking at Jones.
The person who answered the phone at Jones’ legislative district office directed the BGA to attorney Michael Kasper, who could not immediately be reached for comment.
Records show Calumet City paid Jones $2,378 last April to cover his hotel, registration and other expenses at the American Black Film Festival, an annual event in Florida that showcases movies by black filmmakers.
However, records show Jones used his campaign fund to pay the $1,069 tab for his hotel room, raising questions as to why Calumet City taxpayers covered his lodging.
Jones has told the BGA that campaign funds were used to pay for rooms he had booked for colleagues but forgot to cancel. After the BGA raised questions about the expenditure, Jones amended his campaign records, which previously showed he used campaign funds to pay for his own hotel room.
This blog entry was written and reported by the Better Government Association’s Andrew Schroedter, who can be reached at aschroedter@bettergov.org or (312) 821-9035.
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