The Illinois Auditor General is under investigation by the Illinois State Board of Elections for questionable campaign expenditures. There have been numerous articles written concerning Mautino’s campaign fund. Some of the notable problems include over $250,000 in payments to a bank for campaign expenses for services banks don’t provide and over $210,000 expenses for car repairs and gas at the same service station in one 10 year period. A coalition of Republican legislators asked Mautino in three separate emails over the last two months for information concerning his campaign account.
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In his last response on May 12, 2016, Mautino indicated that he doesn’t intend to respond to them directly. But, State Representative Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) believes that Frank Mautino owes the members of the General Assembly a direct and comprehensive report about the Auditor General’s campaign fund. Here’s why: the ILGA hired him. Ives has also stated that taxpayers deserve an honest and complete response for two main reasons:
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• Taxpayers are paying Auditor General Mautino a $157,000 salary along with benefits unheard of in the private sector
• If he stays in that job just one year he will increase his yearly pension by over $59,000.
• If he stays in that job just one year he will increase his yearly pension by over $59,000.
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State records show Mautino, who has also served 24 years as a state representative, stood to receive a starting pension of over $74,000 which is 85% of his final salary of more than $87,000. After just one year at the higher Auditor General salary, Mautino will receive 85% of his $157,000 salary, a starting pension over $133,000. That pension will compound at 3% annually for the rest of his life upon retirement.
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“Frank Mautino has a campaign finance problem that mirrors those of Aaron Schock and Jesse Jackson Jr.,” stated State Rep. Jeanne Ives.
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“By all appearances, he is just filling a seat to maximize his taxpayer-funded pension benefits. Illinois doesn’t currently have a mechanism in place to strip legislators convicted of crimes related to campaign finance of their pensions. This is just another example of political insiders looking out for themselves at the expense of families and businesses.”
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Ives went on to say, “In Frank Mautino’s 24 year tenure, the state’s unfunded pension liability has ballooned to the largest in the nation, property taxes have skyrocketed, our credit rating has dropped to the lowest in the nation, and our unemployment rate far exceeds that of our neighbors in the Midwest. I am standing up for my neighbors – who are always on the hook for the excesses of government. Frank Mautino’s lifestyle is financed on the backs of hardworking taxpayers. We shouldn’t commit one more dime to him without a full investigation into his campaign finances. If he doesn’t want to cooperate, he should step down. If we don’t get answers now, get ready to pay.”
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About the Office of Auditor General
The Auditor General is established by the Legislature and is the premier office that ensures state agencies are accountable to the people through their elected representatives. The Auditor General duties include performing financial and compliance audits including compliance with federal statutes.
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Submitted by: Jeanne Ives
3 Comments
Peggy B
Posted at 08:46h, 04 JuneWhen I watched WCIA news the other night and saw them bring the Mautino issue to light I was very disappointed that they didn’t bring up that the Watchdogs had a big part in bringing this to light. Thank you for the work you do. Now if we can just figure out how to put some teeth in violation of state statutes we might be able to hold our officials accountable for their actions.
Richard Jarman
Posted at 08:22h, 18 MayWith examples like this of Mautino puffing up his largely undeserved pension, it is no wonder people are angry at the pension system and demand reform. And undoubtedly some reform is required. Unfortunately, most people who derive their pensions from the state have earned them honestly and they are modest; but they will be the ones to suffer undeservedly if their pensions are reduced in any reform.
Jon
Posted at 20:53h, 17 MayThis is an prime example of the stealing of tax payers confidence in government. Thank you watchdogs for keeping this in the spot light. Your work doesn’t go unnoticed.