DuPage Faith Group Leader Bashes Sheriff's Officials

WHEATON, IL – The head of a faith-based group that serves DuPage County Jail inmates has created animosity and hostility among jail employees, according to a county investigation.

The words and actions of Michael Beary, executive director of JUST of DuPage, have undermined the jail's command staff, the investigation's report said.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the report and the texts between Beary and Lt. Christopher VanHoose of the jail's gang unit. VanHoose is now on unpaid leave, which Patch reported Tuesday.

Many of Beary's texts take shots at the sheriff's office. In one, Beary wrote, "F--- Eddie," referring to Undersheriff Edmond Moore.

JUST of DuPage is among the topics in the recommendations of the 26-page sheriff's report, approved by Sheriff James Mendrick in late August. The investigation was conducted in response to an FBI audit.

Beary did not return three messages for comment.

Patch was able to find contact information for two of JUST of DuPage's four board members. Neither has responded to Patch's requests for comment.

Based in the county jail for more than three decades, JUST of DuPage provides educational, vocational and addiction recovery programs for inmates. It says it aims to help inmates re-enter society.

According to the sheriff's report, text messages and emails between Beary and VanHoose show the two men wanted to replace the sheriff's command staff.

"There are even instances where Michael Beary is recommending, if not demanding, changing sworn staff members as he sees fit," the report said.

The report said the sheriff's office may present its information about Beary to JUST's board. That would help the board determine whether to keep Beary, who had led the nonprofit group since 2018, the report said.

In November 2020 text messages with VanHoose, Beary took issue with Mark Garcia, the county's corrections bureau chief.

"This is all about a power struggle between Garcia and me. They have convinced him that this is a good idea," Beary said, although it wasn't clear what the idea was. "It doesn't matter because they are all going to fall soon."

VanHoose responded, "They are all actively targeting JUST. Garcia is trying to use me as a Trojan horse." He also said Garcia was being "really shady."

In January, Beary said he hoped Sheriff Mendrick would get "elevated to a larger stage and can see that he needs to fix these program obstructions and change out his senior staff."

In May, VanHoose informed Beary that Undersheriff Moore "is getting so involved with the gang stuff" and requiring all documentation for segregating an inmate.

"So basically Eddie is going to determine if there's a gang issue," VanHoose said. "Guess he decides if we have enough evidence. What a f------ joke."

In the chain of texts, Beary said, "I'm not letting this go because I know what the real target is. F--- Eddie."

In a text a month later, Beary accused Moore of lying to him.

VanHoose and Beary also texted about Beary's conversation with the sheriff in June.

"He called me and we talked it out," Beary said. "No one involved with our work will answer to anyone but him or me."

VanHoose responded, "You and him have our complete support."

Both men agreed they had faith in Mendrick.

In July, VanHoose told Beary that he would ask Mendrick if he could see the preliminary union contract. VanHoose said he got a tip that some of the contract language may restrict the sheriff and his plans.

Beary said he heard about the language prioritizing seniority over skills for jobs.

"It's aimed at our programs," Beary said.

Beary said he set up a time for them to meet with the sheriff, so they could speak with him about the union contract.

The county's Merit Commission is expected to hold a hearing on VanHoose's status.

In its report, the sheriff's office said there was no denial that the jail benefits from JUST's programs. Its issue was with Beary.