Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs is keeping secret the results of an investigation into his predecessor.
Former Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford saw his political career collapse last year when an employee accused him of harassment and requiring political work.
Rutherford commissioned an investigation and pledged to release the results, but then backtracked.
Rutherford: “From the very beginning, I said I want it out there." Reporter: “But then you said, on advice of counsel, I can’t." Rutherford: “No, I didn’t say that. The counsel said that, because of the — a federal lawsuit had been filed."
Now the new treasurer, Frerichs, is citing the same lawsuit and instructions from the Illinois attorney general as his reason not to release the report. That's despite telling the Daily Herald he wanted to publish.
A spokeswoman for Frerichs says the report “must” be released, and that her boss will work with the attorney general to do that once the lawsuit is over.
The report cost $27,000 and was paid for using taxpayer funds.