ROGER MONROE
Peoria is home to another embezzlement scandal. The latest is the alleged theft of $9,100 by an official of the Peoria Housing Authority.
An investigation is underway according to Peoria Journal reporter Zach Roth, who obtained the information by filing a Freedom of Information request. Otherwise, the public would not know of alleged misuse of taxpayer money. The finger of suspicion has been pointed at the authority’s chief financial officer, who has not been identified. No charges have been filed as investigators are scrutinizing “the books.”
No charges were ever filed after the Peoria City/County Health Department reported the disappearance of thousands of dollars allocated to the House of Hope. Apparently, there’s no hope of ever rescuing some or all of the $650,000 the health department received from the American Rescue Act. The “books” were closed with no public disclosures.
No one was charged with the embezzlement of an estimated $375,000 at public television station, WTVP, though its CEO Lesley Matuszak, who took her life, was later the center of the investigation. Reportedly, the station had commercial crime insurance and the loss was covered. However, Cincinnati Insurance at last report was suing the Matuszak estate and former WTVP finance director Linda McLaughlin for reimbursement. The case against McLaughlin was dismissed.
A former official for Bard Optical, Gayle Rentsch, was indicted last November for allegedly stealing $4.8 million. Five employees of the Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity two years ago were fired for alleged wrongdoing involving client gift cards.
Those are only a few of the many cases of stealing money, and we didn’t mention Aaron Rossi, the 41-year-old former CEO of Reditus Labs who was sentenced to five years in prison for embezzling more than $1 million from a former employer.
Why are Peorians allegedly stealing? Perhaps it’s the water.
AND THE WINNER IS: The city of East Peoria won out over Peoria in the battle to be home for the new gambling casino. The Illinois Gaming Board unanimously approved Boyd Gaming’s $160 million plan to build a casino near the existing Par-A-Dice riverboat.
Peoria objected to the gambling cartel’s proposal on grounds it violated terms of a 1991 agreement. That agreement, they argued, stipulated any future land-based gambling joint would be built in Peoria, not East Peoria.
Boyd offered a settlement with Peoria, but its city council, by a 5-5 vote, rejected the deal. So, Boyd threw a curve ball at the River City, introducing a plan to construct the casino on a barge that would also rest on water. That plan was approved by the state’s gambling board. The dueling is over.
Truth is, both cities won. East Peoria keeps the Par-A-Dice on its side of the Illinois River and Peoria will continue to receive 50% of the profits. What’s the beef? We know Peoria’s downtown is struggling like most cities thanks to Amazon and shopping by Internet and mail orders. Peoria can take pride in having a state-of-the-art museum on its riverfront while East Peoria showcases a Walmart. But, behind that discount franchise store, is a mecca of restaurants, retail shops, motels, hotels, and some modern apartment buildings. Older Americans can remember when the land was occupied by Caterpillar plants and a baseball diamond called Tom Connor Field. What a difference.
Let’s close with some positive thoughts. Generally speaking, when East Peoria “profits,” so does Peoria and other area communities. When the Peoria Civic Center brings in top attractions, out-of-towners use our hotels, motels, retail businesses and restaurants. When East Peoria’s Eastside athletic fields hosts tournaments, the players and their families frequent area businesses on both sides of the river. Meanwhile, people who work at the various chamber of commerce offices still meet to cooperatively help make central Illinois an appealing destination.
RUN CHUCK RUN! Fans and supporters of former long-time council member Chuck Grayeb are urging him to run again. They miss his wisdom and experience and are hoping he’ll decide to run as an at-large candidate for the April 2027 elections.
Filings are to be made this year. Grayeb lost in the race for mayor after deciding not to run for re-election to represent the city’s 2nd district. But his love for the city continues.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “Easter is the only time when it’s perfectly safe to put all your eggs in one basket.” — Evan Esar