Additional stories:
http://blnnews.com/2016/01/07/sorensen-more-info/
http://blnnews.com/2016/01/06/county-board-a-chance-to-change/
http://blnnews.com/2016/01/05/sorensen-grand-jury-indictment/
http://blnnews.com/2016/01/05/more-on-sorensen-court-press-release/
By: Diane Benjamin
Maybe if the local press did investigative reporting we would know. Why did the press not care when Matt Sorensen left State Farm under less than amicable circumstances. What does it take for State Farm to fire a high-ranking employee, let alone the McLean County Board Chairman?
We might know now.
Reuters is reporting: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2016/01/05/393755.htm
Ex-McKinsey Consulting Partner Charged with Fraud Against State Farm
A former partner at consulting firm McKinsey & Co has been arrested on charges that he engaged in a scheme to submit fraudulent invoices and expenses to the company and clients, including State Farm, for more than $890,000.
Navdeep Arora, who had been a senior partner in McKinsey’s Chicago office, was arrested on Sunday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after arriving in New York following a flight from London, according to court papers.
He was named in an indictment filed in federal court in Chicago along with a former internal State Farm consultant, Matthew Sorensen, who the indictment said participated in the scheme.
Continue reading: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2016/01/05/393755.htm
“Well, What A Revolting Development This Is!”
Ruh roh!
Still nothing on the birdcage liner website. Must not be newsworthy!
Too occupied with the usual fluff articles and regurgitating mindless AP pap to do any actual reporting.
They read my story at 8:47. How long will it take them to report?
Took ’em about an hour, so credit there. Next question – will it be front page material tomorrow or buried back in the Business section next to Dilbert?
I passed along the link contained in the article to M. Nagle at 7:57 asking if the Pantagraph was going to cover the story. She responded at 9:55 saying they had just put something online.
Typical politician.
It took an hour, they have something now. That “newspaper” is pathetic.
Hey, now THAT’S what I call a GOOD start to the New Year! Maybe the county board will replace him and get some reasonable leadership and management and leave the OLD cronyism behind them. WHY you ask hasn’t the Pantagraph reported this? FIRST, you have to HAVE reporters, all they have are photographers.
THIS also begs the question about CONSULTANTS. WHO is in charge of overseeing the EXPENSE accounts, etc of consultants that the city, mayor, and manager hire to make sure that WE the people get what we are paying for, and NOT just getting a new set of golf clubs or a Bahamas trip? Seems BOTH Bloomington and Normal hire a lot of “outside” consultants and NOTHING seems to get done-more study needed-we need further discussion, etc. WHO’S job is it to look into this?
Evidently mine. Non-existent press
Awesome! Never did trust that guy.
Well do you suppose Harvard Business School taught Navdeep Arora how to do that? According to his LinkedIn profile that is where he went to school at. I’m impressed to say the least.
Hmm now this makes me wonder how many back room deals the county board chairman has been involved in that we don’t know about…..yet.
Some FOIA requests have been filed. Transparent – they aren’t.
Wonder how the Mayor feels about buying lunch for him while working their deals.
Let’s hope the connection provides the mayor with what he deserves.
It is time to clean house on the McLean County Board. It’s long overdue. A lot of reporting on this site is rightfully focused on the dysfunction of the Bloomington City Council. They make themselves all too easy of a target. However, if a similar approach was followed on the McLean Co Board, there would be no end. They make the Bloomington City Council look tame in comparison. I’m hopeful that in 2016 more will be uncovered that will highlight the corruption.
There is ZERO transparency at the County!
Over Thanksgiving my County Board representative came to my door wanting me to sign his petition for reelection. I told him people in hell want ice water. I refused. I’ve been in contact with him many times over the years and while he may be hearing me, he’s certainly not listening. Couldn’t believe he’d come to my house expecting me to sign after our discussions on past issues. I’m tempted to run against him, but cleaning up this mess is not a one man job and I’m afraid I just don’t have the time to serve and try to clean up the corruption all at the same time.
The McLean Co web site is still not compliant with the Freedom of Information Act, in spite of numerous emails I’ve sent to at least three members of the board.
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/mclean-county-makes-a-mockery-of-open-meetings-act/
Then, there’s the issue of mental health that is so emotionally charged that one dare not approach the controversial subject of government waste. A quick review of the Country’s approach to this will reveal the emperor has no clothes. They continue to throw money down the drain in the name of addressing mental health issues. Here’s another good article:
http://www.libertyunderattack.com/adventures-in-illinois-law-part-1-draconian-legislation-at-the-county-board-meeting/
Keep in mind, Bloomington and Normal passed a sales tax increase in part to hand over more money for mental health to the county. There is absolutely no accountability for this whatsoever on any level of government.
This is just for starters. Trust me there’s plenty more. I’ve been beating my head up against the wall with the governing body for years and I’m not backing down any time soon. It is government at it’s absolute worst being led by a politician who is obviously corrupt. Don’t forget Tari Renner cut his teeth in politics on the McLean County Board!
I came really close to running against Sorensen – he is up for election. I was going to run on killing the east-side bypass. I wonder if he got anything for supporting it? Not too many other people do.
In all seriousness, you would get my vote if you ever decide to run for board chair. The east side bypass is another thing we don’t need. Good platform.
Why is State Farm causing trouble? This is such a nice community. We don’t need this kind of tone and divisiveness. This looks bad to companies we are trying to attract. Matt has worked so hard to better our community wether it be more bike paths or more green spaces. The best thing is for us to move on and work together for the common good in a more positive tone. We don’t need this negativity.
Very funny!
Dear Mother of Jones–are you kidding me! Sorensen stole money from State Farm. State Farm is not the one responsible for this trouble. Yes, Sorensen makes this community look bad–he needs to go–unless you are suggesting State Farm should leave. This story was reported nationally. It is not local divisiveness. This is just like the bad publicity the Mayor’s censure and the pension spiking caused.
Mom is trying to start trouble. It was a joke, I’m familiar with the email address.
Phew!! Sorry for the outburst, Mom.
Wonder if the Hales/Renner regime also participates in phony consulting fees scheme. For what they spend I wouldn’t be surprised. Just sayin’.
The 1/4% tax for the county, the free lunches, over-priced consultants–all of it stinks.
This website really is as low-level as I had heard it was.
If by low-level you mean digging into the huge depths of waste, corruption, and incompetence going on I the city and county governments, then, yes, it is low level. However, I think you comment is intended to be patronizing in which case you should have said “lowbrow”. If you are not going to contribute to the discussion, then at least get your insults right.
I hope your employer in Phoenix doesn’t mind personal stuff on company time.
Then go away and find something more to your liking. Life is short. In the mean time those of us who frequent the site won’t miss you.
Just another non-local
Probably one of George Soros’ paid trolls.
Dear FBI Chicago Office:
Please come investigate The Town of Normal, City of Bloomington and Mc Lean County government entities for numerous allegations of ethics and corruption include all elected officials and all three administers. Not sure your local office really is capable or willing to take serious facts that are available and people willing to speak to the FBI.
I appreciate the sharing of my article above. I’d recommend taking a look at the two follow-ups as well, regarding the Mental Health Action Plan (MHAP).
Draconian Legislation Part 2, where I provide my analysis of the full document: http://www.libertyunderattack.com/adventures-in-illinois-law-part-2-draconian-legislation-at-the-county-level/
My article reporting the sales tax increase due to the MHAP: http://www.libertyunderattack.com/a-bandit-gang-writ-large-mental-health-action-plan/
Thank you for your time.
-Shane
Thank you for the sharing of my article above. I would recommend a reading of my other two articles discussing the Mental Health Action Plan (MHAP).
Draconian Legislation Part 2, where I provide my analysis of the full document: http://www.libertyunderattack.com/adventures-in-illinois-law-part-2-draconian-legislation-at-the-county-level/
My article discussing the sales tax increase, released on October 1st: http://www.libertyunderattack.com/a-bandit-gang-writ-large-mental-health-action-plan/
Lastly, if you are interested in taking a look at my entire “Adventures in Illinois Law” series, that can be done using this link: http://www.libertyunderattack.com/adventures-in-illinois-law-an-anthology/
Thank you for your time.
-Shane
Here is the Federal indictment: http://www.libertyunderattack.com/wp-content/uploads/Documents/160104%20-%20Criminal%20Complaint%20USA%20v.%20Sorensen.pdf