Republican lawmakers are piling the pressure on Illinois' Auditor General. They're pressing him to respond to allegations of improper campaign spending.
Legislators chose one of their own, former Democratic State Rep. FrankMautino, to take over as the state's financial watchdog. He started in January.
Almost immediately, some came to regret that choice. Published reports detail what critics say appear to be excessive, unethical -- some say possibly illegal -- campaign finance reports.
Rep. Grant Wehrli, a Republican from Naperville, says it leaves him with no faith in the audits Mautino oversees.
"I'm sorry; but if our Auditor General cannot be forthright with his own expenses and auditing practices, then I place a high level of scrutiny on anything, any work product, coming out of the office under his leadership," Wehrli said.
Wehrli sent Mautino a letter in February asking that he provide some answers; Wehrli says he still hasn't received an appropriate response. Three months later, he and other GOP legislators sent another.
Wehrli says the delay is eroding public trust.
"The auditor general, as you know, is the fiscal watchdog of the state. It is imperative that he operates in a highly ethical manner. And we demand that he steps forward at this point in time to clear that up," he said.
Mautino spokesman Ryan Keith would only say that the Auditor General will respond to the latest letter once it's received, and that Mautino is focused on a May 16 state board of elections hearing on his campaign finances.
Through the spokesman Mautino declined to provide a copy of a state board of elections report, and he declined to comment on the possibility of a criminal investigation.
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