April 30, 2010
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News: Possible CC Abuse By Chicago Politician
A Chicago area politician is the latest government employee to undergo scrutiny for questionable sending on the agency's credit card. A probe into the county's credit card statements by Chicago's ABC Channel 7 News revealed that Todd Stroger may have used the county's credit card for personal expenses including a birthday bash at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chicago amounting to $689.25. He also spent $952 at a Ft. Lauderdale, Florida hotel while attending a National Organization of Countries conference and an On-Star subscription for an unidentified vehicle. ABC News began the probe in response to questions previously brought up by other county employees. According to Stroger, he has reimbursed the county for all personal expenses charged to the county card.
Stroger could be telling the truth about reimbursing the county because Channel 7 News reported that on the statement listing the birthday bash, there was a notation which said it was paid by a Todd H. Stroger personal check. Joseph Fratto, Stroger's Chief of Staff said that all Stroger's charges are business related and county policy allows him a credit card for those purposes. On the other hand, Fratto said that Stroger has reimbursed the county for all personal expenses. One can't help but wonder how that would be possible if Stroger maintains that all his card charges are appropriate business expenses.
Fratto also mentioned that Stroger was issued the card last summer to use for minor business expenses which includes about four business trips a year. However, Channel News 7 reports that Stroger used the county credit card to purchase $54.09 at Edible Arrangements for an Apple Blossom bouquet, $87.65 at the Joseph A. Bank. Critics of Stroger's spending say that he should be using his personal card for personal expenses and use the county card for business expenses. John Daley, Cook County Finance Committee Chairman said Stroger should have known better. Cook County Board Commissioners will be discussing the issue and consider implementing a new rule that would require Stroger's office to obtained authorization in advance for any expenditure over $750.