Scams, forensic audits, resignations

The Rutland Township issue reached boiling point at the latest board meeting, but the debate began over the summer.

Jan Siers is a 50-year resident of Rutland Township. She was appointed Trustee in May, 2021 as the board was short one Trustee. Her term expires in 2025.

Ronda Goldman is a Sun City resident and Village of Huntley Trustee, which she has been since 2013. Her term also expires in May 2025.

Goldman is alleging multiple issues with the Township Board’s operation. She claims that at the August board meeting, “The Supervisor who just resigned started fumbling the bills at the meetings and seemed very disorganized. She did not appear to share items on the agenda ahead of the meeting with her fellow Board members.”

Additionally, Goldman said, “There seemed to be only two Trustees and the Supervisor with two vacancies. Then, at the last meeting it was revealed that a forensic financial audit took place and that money was paid by the Supervisor to scammers on the Quick Book sites.”

When pressed, Goldman could not name the person or firm that conducted the alleged Forensic audit.

When asked what her desired end result was, Goldman replied, “As for what I hope to achieve, I hope that taxpayers will take more of an interest in seeing firsthand how their tax money is being utilized since our Illinois taxes are so high.”  

Goldman also said, “Every single person in the audience at the last meeting heard about the forensic audit, the money paid to scammers, and about the erratic bill paying. One person in the audience brought a videographer with her and he taped the meeting.”

When asked if Goldman thought that the board had done anything illegal, her response was, “I have no idea.”

In an interview with Siers, she admits that “the Township computers were hacked,” and that “payments estimated to be $7,000 were made to scammers posing as QuickBooks.”

Siers continued, “The board thought the invoices were legitimate and authorized payments.”

BMO Harris Bank investigated the bogus bills and credited some funds back to the township.

“Our insurance companies are involved” said Siers, “and they are trying to get other funds returned.”

On the issue of the alleged forensic audit, Siers commented that “an audit was conducted” as per State law. “The results of the March 31, 2021 audit are posted on the Township website.”

The audit shows a total cash balance of more than $585,000.

According to Siers, attendance at the Township Board meetings “has been minimal until Goldman got her friends to attend.”

On the subject of the board make-up, Siers did concur that two board members did resign at the August board meeting. She also reported that the board was seated in May and was short two trustees at that time.

Siers and Dave Kenik, along with others applied for the open positions. She and Kenik were chosen to fill those open trustee positions. Margaret Sanders was the Supervisor that resigned in August. Siers was selected by the remaining trustees to become the Interim Deputy supervisor. According to state law, that position must be filled by one of the trustees. The board has 60 days to replace the Supervisor.

According to the Township website, two resignations were tendered at the August 10 Board Meeting. Appointments for consideration are Supervisor and one Trustee. Resumes can be emailed to the Township Clerk krendl@rutlandtownship.com or by USPS mail to the Township office, 16N491 Powers Road, Gilbert, IL 60136 Attn: Township Clerk

Siers does say that she “doesn’t understand Goldman’s motivation.”

A review of the July 13, 2021 board meeting indicates that there were lengthy discussions regarding bill payments and financial reports that were rejected. Then Supervisor Sanders was unable to respond to questions about the QuickBooks invoices. It was pointed out that from May 2019 to the present that more than $8,800 was paid for “QuickBooks support and upgrade.”

The July board meeting minutes certainly planted the seeds for the many negative comments regarding the board and its handling of township funds.

September 14 board meeting

Thirty-three people attended the September 14 board meeting. Almost every chair in the room was occupied. In her Supervisor’s Announcements, Siers reported that “the final disbursement from Kane County has been received.” She did not announce the amount of the funds received.

Siers also commented on the comments posted on social media. “Errors were made. Accounts and files needed attention.”

“Nothing illegal was done” Siers continued, “spam email invoices of $912 were received this week” and “several collection phone calls” were received and all were dismissed.

She invited those in attendance to “ask the township trustees” if they had questions and to not “buy into the social media stuff.”

Adeline Lewis spoke in the Public Comment portion of the meeting. She said that “the appointment of a spouse by a spouse to the board may not be against the law but it’s definitely inappropriate.”

Lewis wants “a vote for the vacant Trustee positions” and not appointments.

It was noted in the July 13 meeting minutes that Lewis had withdrawn her candidacy paperwork to fill the then vacant trustee positions.

The board continued with its business and approved the payment of bills for the Township and the Road District. It further approved the $24,000 annual compensation for the Deputy Township Supervisor. It officially accepted the resignation of Trustee Hoffman and approved the March 31 audit.

Highway Commissioner Jay Schultz reported that “the paving projects and striping have been completed on time and in budget.”

Schultz also reported that they are still “in the process of cleaning up tree damage in the township.”

Assessor Gary Fritz reported that “appeals are down” and “the new home builders are trying to work around the tax laws to get a lower tax bill.”

Rutland Township is one of 16 townships in Kane County. It coves roughly 36 square miles from the McHenry County line south to Pingree Grove. East to nearly Tyrrell Road and West almost to Hampshire. Five zip codes, (60118, 60123, 60136, 60140 and 60142) are included in the Township. To many, Rutland Township and Rutland Township Road District are just two line items on the Kane County property tax bill.

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