Story posted Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Gorman Charges Conflict Of Interest
By TODD WESSELL Journal & Topics Editor
Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth Gorman said she will be filing an official complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's office and State Board of Elections concerning the fundraising activity and contribution reporting of Des Plaines resident Mark Thompson, who is challenging her in the Feb. 2 Republican primary.
Gorman said Gov. Pat Quinn should take immediate action to remove Thompson from his state of Illinois job because of what she says is an obvious conflict of interest. Thompson is legal counsel for the Illinois Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation. He said his annual salary is $86,000.
"There is one simple fundraising rule for state bureaucrats who get involved in politics," said Gorman. "Don't take money from people you regulate." She said Thompson has taken a total of at least $2,500 from Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica and area resident Jason Schram whom she says are both real estate brokers. Gorman also stated that Thompson could have violated the state law by knowingly receiving political contributions from individuals that he may have to regulate.
In addition, Gorman said she will be filing a complaint with the State Board of Elections because she said Thompson failed to report thousands of dollars of in-kind contributions for his political campaign signs and emails. Thompson on Sunday said Gorman's accusations are baseless adding that he does not know if Peraica or Schram are real estate brokers.
"I am not aware that it is wrong to take political contributions from real estate brokers," said Thompson. "I'm not sure about the laws they (Gorman) are citing. This is just last minute charges and fluff."
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