The FBI is investigating allegations that Forest Preserve District of DuPage County contracts went toward a Chicago-based technology firm Alamach Technologies Inc., benefitting two former district employees, according to the Daily Herald and Better Government Association.
The former employees worked in the district's Information Technology department. The district announced in November that two administrative employees were suspended without pay for "possible misuse of taxpayer funds and/or resources." District officials said in November they had no further comment while authorities reviewed the issue.
One of the employees resigned Nov. 7 and the other was terminated Nov. 15.
Between November 2009 and October 2011, the district paid Alamach more than $488,000 for consulting and other technology services, according to the Daily Herald and BGA report. The contracts go back at least a year and were worth about $12,000 a month, the Daily Herald reported Nov. 24.
Public records show Alamach was dissolved in May, according to the report.
The district employs approximately 306 full-time and 45 part-time employees, with administrative offices at 3S580 Naperville Rd. in Wheaton.
The district in June launched a "transparency portal" on its website that allows the public to search information regarding district spending, salaries, taxes and fees, lobbyists, meeting minutes and agendas and FOIA requests.
Read the full report on the Daily Herald website.