Excerpts from EdgarCountyWatchdogs.com: The Tri-State Fire Protection District caught our attention after we started working with COD. As we received numerous requests for help, we came across a series of articles published by the Better Government Association that suggested there was more to uncover. (BGA Article). These articles revealed troubling issues, including the misuse of taxpayer funds, a trustee granting promotions and benefits to her civil union partner, and questionable purchasing practices. Based on input from local citizens, we obtained some documents through a FOIA request, focusing on the relationship between a board member and the purchase of several ambulances—both new and used. What we found appeared to be a clear violation of state ethics policies and the Fire Protection District Act by Mr. Michael Orrico, the board treasurer. In September of last year, Tri-State issued an RFP (not a bid) for two new ambulances. Several qualified companies submitted proposals, including Foster Coach at $181,150 each, Alexis Fire at $161,935 each, and Fire Services, Inc. at approximately $164,000 each. However, all these offers were sent via email and not sealed as required. After the RFP was released, the agent from Fire Services, Inc. offered a used ambulance for around $170,000. The district later purchased it for $167,965. This ambulance wasn’t part of the original RFP process, yet it cost more than a new one. After initial quotes from all three companies, only Fire Services, Inc. was considered. Their final offers included a 2013 Wheeled Coach ambulance without a Stryker power loader for $166,087 and a 2015 model for $169,702. Interestingly, the agent from Fire Services, Inc. spoke directly with Mike Orrico in January 2015 about a paint issue on the used ambulance. Final invoices were issued early this year: $162,587 for a 2015 chassis ambulance on February 20, 2015, and $166,202 for another 2015 model on May 26, 2015. The district also bought a no-bid used ambulance from Fire Services, Inc., totaling three ambulances under a two-ambulance RFP. What makes this even more concerning is the fact that one of the trustees works for the company that sold the ambulances to the district. Mr. Michael Orrico sells fire equipment for Fire Services, Inc. Did he disclose this in his Economic Disclosure Statement for his trustee position? Not a word. According to the form: “Except for professional service entities, the name of any entity and any position held therein from which income in excess of $1,200 was derived during the preceding calendar year if the entity does business with a unit of local government in relation to which the person is required to file.†He said N/A. What are the consequences of nondisclosure? (5 ILCS 420/4A-107) Any person required to file a statement of economic interests under this Article who willfully files a false or incomplete statement shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Did he mention his relationship with Fire Services, Inc. as required by law under the Illinois Fire Protection District Act? Nope. My review of the minutes shows he never mentioned it when the RFPs were being discussed or reviewed. He clearly violated 70 ILCS 705/4 by failing to follow the rules outlined below: “No trustee or employee of such district shall be directly or indirectly interested financially in any contract work or business or the sale of any article, the expense, price or consideration of which is paid by the district; nor in the purchase of any real estate or other property, belonging to the district, or which shall be sold for taxes or assessments or by virtue of legal process at the suit of the district.†There are exemptions, but none apply to Mr. Orrico: Did he abstain from voting on the purchase of these two ambulances? That’s a bit tricky, since the board doesn’t seem to vote on large purchases in open session. No discussion was recorded in the months before or after the bids were accepted. It's possible this was done to cover up his conflict of interest, but we can't say for sure. (Link to all those minutes) What are the consequences of Mr. Orrico’s actions? “Any officer or employee who violates this Section is guilty of a Class 4 felony and in addition thereto any office held by such person so convicted shall become vacant and shall be so declared as part of the judgment of the court.†How did the lawyers for the district allow this to happen on their watch? Probably because the district uses the same law firm as the College of DuPage was using under Breuders’ watch! (Attorney for Tri-State FPD) Stay tuned for some pretty amazing exposure yet to come! You can see the paper trail on this article below or download the full document. Download (PDF, 1.73MB) Thanks Dan and Scott Blind Hem Stitch Machine, Buttonhole Machine, Quilting Machine, Embroidery Machine Zhejiang Lejiang Machine Co., Ltd. , https://www.cnlejiang.com