DuPage Co. (ECWd) –
“Nothing to see here, our audits are clean.” That is basically what COD claimed when concerns were raised about hidden payments in the Imprest account.
It appears we have been vindicated in our efforts as it pertains to Broadcast Technologies and more self dealing at COD under the leadership of Robert Breuder. (first article on the matter here)
The title we used was spot on! “What are Birt and Breuder hiding”. Turns out plenty, and indications point to that pricing being rather hefty, both in legal fees and more negative exposure on COD.
The Chicago Tribune ran a front page story today exposing what is going on as it relates to Broadcast Technologies and former COD employee John Valenta.
From the Tribune Article “As questions arise about financial oversight at the taxpayer-funded College of DuPage, prosecutors and school officials obtained a sealed court order to prevent the Tribune from getting information.” (click here for their coverage – may required subscription to view) or (click here for free version)
The Court ordered records we asked for to be sealed, however they violated the most basic principal of Freedom of the Press and restricted the access to the Chicago Tribune, and Open the Books, thus restricting selective media organizations. (Click here for a copy of the court order)
The Tribune also stated that: “On Nov. 14, prosecutors, working with the college, obtained a court order stating that the documents requested by the Tribune and a local nonprofit watchdog group were exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. Four days later, the college denied the Tribune’s request.”
ECWd asks WHO, at the college was working with the State’s Attorney on this?, and under what authority were they working with the SA? Did the Board of Trustees approved this arrangement? Was it all the workings of Breuder to avoid embarrassment?
The Court cannot restrict access to public records in this fashion, let alone limit which media or non profit can access them. That was made clear in the Chicago Tribune’s case in which another judge overturned the court order. (Click here for copy of that order)
Another interesting note is the reference to “Open the Books” in the first court order. There is no company named Open the Books! That is simply a name of a web site, which makes you wonder what the real agenda was in this improper court record sealing action?
We assure you there is plenty more questionable activity going on with COD and this information now going public will only strengthen everything we have written about as it relates to Brueder and his total disregard for the law at COD.
The Lion is out of the cage!
3 Comments
Chris M. Gaines
Posted at 16:33h, 15 JanuaryTruth is stranger than fiction it’s been said. This is obviously not an organized crime movie but could be made into one easily. It’s a real life organized crime involving many criminals, a CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY…not a conspiracy theory, that should be prosecuted by the RICO laws by OUR federal government. This type of thing is going on across America obviously. I suggest you call the FBI and report this criminal activity if you already haven’t John, and if you can find an honest and motivated FBI agent (they do actually exsist I can assure you of that) that will get involved and take a look at this criminal activity and convince a Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Division to hopefully open an investigation into the public corruption going on there. The FBI or The Justice department has the ability to do this type of investigation, if, and only IF their is enough public outcry and public exposure about it. Keep pushing this John. Use your resources to politically motivate our government agencies to act. Thank you.
Dave
Posted at 13:13h, 15 JanuaryGeez, this reads like a script from an organized crime movie….
jmkraft
Posted at 13:33h, 15 JanuaryI believe that part will be proven in the long run…