FEC Inquiry Into Burr Ridge Leader Ends

BURR RIDGE, IL – The Federal Election Commission has ended its investigation of Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso's 2022 congressional campaign.

Earlier this month, the agency notified Grasso the six-member panel was divided equally on whether to take action on a complaint filed two years ago. The commission closed the file.

The complaint was submitted by Burr Ridge resident Patricia Davis, a critic of the mayor.

In the 2022 Republican primary, Grasso lost to Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau in the race for the 6th Congressional District. Later that year, Rep. Sean Casten, a Downers Grove Democrat, defeated Pekau.

In her complaint, Davis alleged Filippo "Gigi" Rovito, owner of Capri Ristorante, made $2,900 donations to Grasso in the name of his wife and three of his restaurant's employees on the same day.

Davis also contended Grasso likely did not have the money to lend his campaign $250,000, which the campaign disclosed in reports filed with the commission.

The FEC's chairman, Sean Cooksey, and member Allen Dickerson, both Republicans, explained why they opposed a further investigation. In their opinion, they said it wasn't worth spending money on an inquiry involving $11,600 in contributions.

They said the complaint implied that given their occupations, Rovito's wife and the three employees could not afford to each give $2,900, the individual maximum donation allowed under the law.

Rovito, his wife and the employees did not respond to the complaint, according to the FEC.

The commissioners noted the Office of General Counsel proposed a full-scale investigation, but that such an effort would cost the agency significant resources.

They also said that given Grasso's loss in 2022, "any public interest in the Commission continuing to pursue these allegations at this time is minimal."

Democratic commissioner Ellen Weintraub said the complaint's assertion that Grasso did not have the money to lend his campaign $250,000 "merited a narrow investigation."

She pointed to Grasso's financial disclosure report, which is required of candidates. It did not list any bank accounts or other liquid assets, and his gross annual income barely exceeds his loan, she said.

"Not everyone has a quarter of a million dollars in liquid assets available to loan to a political campaign," Weintraub said.

She also said more information was needed on the donations from Rovito's wife and the three employees.

"Contributions in the name of another are among the most serious violations of the (Federal Election Campaign) Act," Weintraub said.

In an email to Patch, Grasso took exception to Weintraub's opinion, saying it was an example of partisan government.

"Weintraub questioned my ability to loan myself a substantial amount of money without basis," Grasso said. "All she had to do was ask my wife who was not ecstatic about me spending a significant sum on my dream of serving in Congress, but as always, Janet stood by me."

He said Weintraub weighed in on an issue – the loan – that was ultimately not before the panel and easily refuted if asked.

"It gives credence to those who believe regulators sometimes work to impugn Americans," Grasso said.

In a statement to Patch, Davis noted the Office of General Counsel's call for further investigation.

"Perhaps if there were more zeroes and commas in that amount the Commission might have voted differently," Davis said. "The Commissioners may have decided to close this particular case, but it serves as a caution to federal candidates seeking election that even the slightest sum can be investigated."

She said it appeared as if her complaint was the last one under review from the 2022 election cycle.

"To me, that was significant because it meant the FEC lawyers were, in fact, 'working the case' when all other complaints filed in that period were otherwise adjudicated or dismissed," Davis said. "Mine was definitely an outlier."

Patch texted Rovito seeking his comment. He did not respond.