ARCHIVED NEWS STORIES | 2009 | 2008 |
Federal Bribery Charges Filed against City Building Inspector
August 10, 2009 - A city of Chicago building inspector was arrested today on federal charges for allegedly accepting a $1,000 cash bribe from a cooperating contractor to approve an inspection at a residential construction site. Jose Hernandez allegedly solicited cash bribes totaling tens of thousands of dollars from contractors, developers and homeowners since at least 2005, according to a criminal complaint unsealed this afternoon. The case is part of an ongoing federal corruption investigation, code-named Operation Crooked Code.
Read the News Release | Read the Criminal Complaint | More news from Operation Crooked Code
IGO Report Closely Examines Parking Meter Lease, Recommends Major Reforms
June 2, 2009 - A new report released by the Inspector General's Office sheds light on the manner by which the lease of Chicago's Metered Parking System was planned, negotiated, and implemented. The independent review shows inadequate financial considerations by City officials, the failure to explore viable alternatives to the 75-year lease as a means to fill the 2009 budget deficit, and it recommends how the City can undertake the lease or sale of public assets in the future using a more deliberative process.
Company Executives Indicted in Conspiracy to Defraud the City of Chicago
April 21, 2009 - A Chicago grand jury indicted the president and vice president of an Illinois refuse disposal container repair company for engaging in a conspiracy and scheme to defraud the city of Chicago on a contract for the repair of refuse carts. Douglas E. Ritter and Steven Fenzl were charged in a four-count indictment, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
The charges announced today resulted from an ongoing investigation of the refuse cart repair industry being conducted by the Department's Antitrust Division and the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General.
U.S. Department of Justice News Release | Read the Indictment (pdf)
IG Audit Finds Waste, Lack of Controls at the City's Central Pharmacy Warehouse.
February 2, 2009 - An audit by the Inspector General's Office found the Chicago Department of Public Health wasted approximately $529,000 in medications resulting in at least a $365,000 loss, did not account for $639,000 of vaccines, and did not properly track controlled substances. IG Auditors conducted a performance audit of CDPH Central Pharmacy Warehouse operations for calendar year 2007.
Read the report (pdf)...
Illinois Reform Commission Releases Final Report
April 28, 2009 - The Illinois Reform Commission (IRC) issued its 100-day report today, recommending a wide range of ethics reforms in six key areas: campaign finance; procurement; enforcement; government structure; transparency; and inspiring better government.
The Commission was chaired by former U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins, and members include City of Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman.
Read the IRC News Release | IRC Final Report | Report Appendices
Illinois Reform Commission Unveils 'Pay-to-Play' Reform Proposals
March 31, 2009 - The Illinois Reform Commission (IRC), whose members include City of Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, today announced a series of reform proposals covering campaign finance, procurement, enforcement and transparency.
Read the IRC News Release (pdf) | View the IRC's Proposals (pdf)
Hoffman Op-Ed: The Cost of Corruption - Chicago Tribune
January 30, 2009 - "Is it in our DNA?" One of Illinois' most experienced reporters asked me that in 2005 when I was named Chicago's inspector general. She was talking about corruption. Read more...
Inspector General Hoffman Addresses Reform Commission Meeting
January 22, 2009 - Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman addressed fellow members of the Illinois Reform Commission, a panel formed to explore and recommend ways to clean up government in Illinois.
Read the statement | Read more about the appointment | Learn about the Illinois Reform Commission
Inspector General Speaks to City Council in 2009 Budget Hearings
October 24, 2008- The Inspector General testified before the City Council Committee on the Budget and Government Operations as part of the annual budget hearings. Inspector General Hoffman's opening statement provided a summary of the Office's activities and accomplishments over the last year.
Read the Inspector General's statement...
Investigation Finds Widespread Waste in City's Garbage Operations
October 8, 2008 - Between May and September 2008, investigators with the Inspector General's Office spent 10 weeks conducting intensive surveillance in 10 of the City's 50 wards, spread across all parts of the City. On October 8th, 2008, the Inspector General's Office issued a report detailing its findings.