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HomeWorld NewsChicago mayor’s workplace accredited dressmaker presents with out correctly reporting them: OIG

Chicago mayor’s workplace accredited dressmaker presents with out correctly reporting them: OIG

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been accused of now not correctly documenting dressmaker presents whilst additionally blockading get right of entry to to the Town Corridor “present room,” in step with a document from the Town of Chicago Place of business of the Inspector Normal (OIG).

The OIG launched the document Wednesday, accusing the Chicago mayor’s workplace of accepting presents, together with Hugo Boss cuff hyperlinks, a customized Montblanc pen, a 2023 U.S. Nationwide Football Group jersey, a Gucci tote bag, a Kate Spade crimson handbag and Carrucci measurement 14 footwear from Feb. 2, 2022, via March 20, 2024.

The document notes that virtually 70% of the 380 logged presents won from Feb. 2, 2022, to March 20, 2024, don’t checklist the identification of the donor.

The town won the nationwide football workforce jersey June 16, 2023, from a consultant from Nike. On Oct. 3, 2023, the town won Airpods, a tote bag and a notepad from an govt with the U.S. Convention of Mayors.

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been accused of improperly accepting dressmaker presents.  (AP Picture/Charles Rex Arbogast)

However different entries, just like the Hugo Boss cuff hyperlinks and personalised Montblanc pen won June 12, 2023, and a Gucci tote bag and crossbody bag won March 18, 2024, fail to incorporate knowledge at the identification of who supplied the present.

Staff from the OIG went to the 5th flooring of Town Corridor Nov. 8, 2024, to request get right of entry to to the present room, unannounced, to habits an inspection of the style wherein presents to the town are saved and to audit the presents and evaluate controls for get right of entry to to the present room.

As an alternative, the OID used to be met by means of Chicago Law enforcement officials, the document famous. After explaining the OIG’s request to view the present room, OIG workforce had been informed to attend in a foyer by means of an elevator.

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Brandon Johnson on stage

The presents come with Hugo Boss cuff hyperlinks, a customized Montblanc pen, a 2023 U.S. Nationwide Football Group jersey, a Gucci tote bag, a Kate Spade crimson handbag and extra, in step with the town’s inspector basic. (Reuters/Vincent Alban)

Whilst ready, the OIG spoke with senior individuals of the mayor’s workplace in regards to the request, then offered a written request to get right of entry to the room.

After additional prolong, the mayor’s workplace mentioned it spoke to recommend, who mentioned OIG would now not be granted get right of entry to to the present room that day. To get right of entry to the room, the OIG used to be informed it must make an appointment, the document mentioned.

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As soon as the OIG used to be denied, it engaged in additional conversations with the Division of Regulation for get right of entry to to the present room, and it used to be it used to be informed it now not be granted get right of entry to.

The OIG mentioned in its document that present disclosures required by means of the Governmental Ethics Ordinance (GEO) advertise transparency and duty.

“When presents are converting arms — most likely actually — in a windowless room in Town Corridor, there’s no alternative for oversight and public scrutiny of the propriety of such presents, the identities and intentions of the gift-givers, or what it approach for presents like whiskey, jewellery, purses, and measurement 14 males’s footwear to be accredited ‘on behalf of the Town,’” the document famous.

One of the crucial presents had been accredited whilst former Mayor Lori Lightfoot used to be in workplace, whilst others had been accredited after Johnson took the oath of workplace.

Johnson informed journalists all over a press convention Wednesday the OIG’s document used to be a mischaracterization of what took place.

“Those are presents to the town. They’re logged,” Johnson informed journalists. “The characterization of the way this document got here out is inaccurate, and, once more, we’ll be sure that our workforce will give you the get right of entry to that you want so to see the presents which can be given to the town.”

The mayor mentioned there’s a procedure everybody should undergo, including that no person is above the legislation, now not even the OIG.

As for the presents, Johnson mentioned there are occasions he’s going to move to a neighborhood serve as and obtain a present bag as a token of appreciation.

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“I don’t need folks to suppose there’s some room in town executive the place there’s only a wall stuffed with belts and socks and footwear and fancy hats,” Johnson mentioned, noting he has if truth be told won hats. 

“With all due admire, infrequently I consider that individuals chase down a wall with not anything on it. There’s a log. It’s there. It’s been there for years.”

Johnson additionally mentioned he hasn’t ever observed the present room that the OIG referred to.

“I don’t suppose there’s a room, [but] if folks need a excursion of this room, I’ll enroll as a result of I’ve by no means been to it myself,” he mentioned.

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