Update:
I talked to the former County Auditor Jackie Dozier. The credit card assigned to Michelle Anderson is also used by departments that do not have their own credit card. That may account for at least some of the redactions. My FOIA request was for all charges and receipts to the Auditors credit card, so crossing them off did not comply with the request. I am waiting for an official explanation.
Also, during Dozier’s 8 1/2 years as County Auditor, she informed me that no departments took money from their personnel fund for other purposes. Anderson wanted to pay for her new furniture with money left in that fund at the end of the year.
Jackie Dozier did inform me the office desk was in bad shape, clothes would catch on parts that were splintering. The need to replace all of Anderson’s office furniture though is debatable.
by: Diane Benjamin
If you aren’t familiar with the County Auditor Michelle Anderson’s story – click here: http://blnnews.com/2014/04/04/mclean-county-michelle-anderson-investigation/
I sent a Freedom of Information Act request to the County for all County credit card charges and receipts for Michelle Anderson for 2013. What I received, from her, was heavily redacted. Evidently she has something to hide!
Anderson made purchases with the County credit card issued to her, but she thinks you aren’t entitled to know what she bought. Very transparent Michelle, your watchdog radar is working great. You think you are above being held accountable to the people paying your salary?
This is the email I received – below it is a link to what Anderson submitted in response to my request.
To: “[email protected]” <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 9:22 AM
Subject: FOIA Response
I have notified the County Administrator and some County Board members. Michelle Anderson’s transparency failure is unacceptable. The McLean County taxpayers deserve better.
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Diane Notify the State’s Attorney’s office that purchases made by a county official are public and if you do not receive a copy that is unredacted, or an explanation of the nature of the purchases that makes them confidential, you will file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office. Lee Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 15:30:10 +0000 To: [email protected]
I have numerous claims pending with the AG. They protect the citizens in name only Lee. I have to start using lawsuits.
Have you tried zooming in? For instance, page 2, blacked out under the “Account Activity” box is a charge from Pizza Hut for $170ish. Page 5, “Cardholder Activity” box, purchases were made at Office Depot, Jo-Ann Fabric, and Amazon.
Half of the stuff that is blacked out is from Amazon, so it’s not very revealing anyway. It does, however, beg the question as to why strike some items from Amazon from public view while allow others to remain.
Is it just me, or did you also notice that the redacting was terrible!? I believe I was able to figure out every redaction. Many of these appeared (redacted) multiple times, but here is my summary: -Pizza Hut -Menards -Amazon Mktplace Pmts Amazon.combillWa -National Assc Counties -Office Depot -JoAnn Fabrics -Rosies Pub -Hobart Service -Meineke Car Care Center Normal -Central States ???? -Survey Monkey -Panera She sure does buy a LOT of stuff from Amazon!
Sent from my iPhone
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