Story posted Wednesday, January 20, 2010
$20,000 Spat Between Former Allies Not Over Yet
A Cook County Court arbitration panel ruled against Maine Township Republican Committeeman Mark Thompson in a dispute over $20,000 provided to Thompson's 2006 committeeman campaign by a Des Plaines resident.
Brian Burkross claims the $20,000 was provided to Thompson in the form of a loan, while Thompson contends the money was a political contribution. Both men said they will continue to fight the dispute in court. Thompson said he would file a motion to appeal the case in court.
"It's not about money anymore, it's about integrity," Burkross told the Journal this week. "I'll spend another $30,000 in court if I have to."
Burkross said he has a written agreement signed by Thompson clarifying the $20,000 was a personal loan. Burkross said he would stay in court as long as it takes to recover his money. Thompson said it was a campaign contribution and said the claim it is a loan is just political retribution after the two men had a falling out.
"This is a political stunt. He (Burkross) filed suit just before the (mayoral) election and again before another election," said Thompson.
Burkross denied the claim is political retribution.
Thompson questioned why Burkross waited two years to file a claim. Burkross said he originally intended to file suit in February 2008 but suffered an extended serious illness at the time.
Thompson said his appeal would be based on "perjured testimony" witnesses gave in the arbitration hearings.
"There is some controversy over what my writing means and what affect it had," said Thompson. "There was no writing (of an agreement) at the time the transaction took place. It was later that's what's in controversy."
Thompson said he and Burkross had a falling out after the 2006 election. Burkross was a member of the Maine Township Republican Organization and wanted an officer of that organization, Gene Dietsch, removed from her post as the organization's election judge coordinator, according to Thompson.
Thompson said his decision not to remove Dietsch caused a rift with Burkross that later led to Burkross quitting the organization.
Last year Thompson lost a four-way race for mayor to Marty Moylan. He is currently running against incumbent Cook County Commissioner Liz Gorman (R-17th) for her seat on the county board. He is also running against State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan (R-65th) in the Feb. 2 primary for Maine Township Republican committeeman.
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