Forgery Distracts Lauren Staley-Ferry's County Clerk Campaign

JOLIET, IL - Will County Board member Lauren Staley-Ferry announced her candidacy for Will County Clerk around Labor Day, and it seemed she could be a shoo-in. Staley-Ferry has a ton of connections thanks to county government, the Democrat Party, her husband's job with the city of Joliet, and several organized labor groups helping to promote her candidacy and fund her campaign. She has a slick campaign website that declares on the top of the page INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS. But as this year winds down, a Staley-Ferry victory in 2018 is no sure bet. As winter approaches, the 39-year-old Staley-Ferry, a graduate of St. Mary Nativity Grade School and Joliet Catholic Academy, continues to be saddled with nagging, uncomfortable questions about her past, namely a criminal case of felony forgery.

The Joliet Herald-News newspaper has produced at least two in-depth stories bringing the matter to the attention of Will County voters over the past several days.

The headline of the most recent article was titled, "Police Report: County Clerk Candidate Admitted To Forgery." The criminal case dates back to 2002, when Lauren Staley was living around Scottsdale, Arizona, and employed as a receptionist and processing assistant at a business called Independent Capital Group, Inc. That August, Staley left Arizona with her boyfriend for Wisconsin, according to the Joliet paper.

At a later date, an auditor discovered a missing check made out to Staley for $500, the Herald-News reported, based on its review of the police reports surrounding the county clerk's forgery case. The newspaper reported that only Staley's boss, Michael Hingston, and that man's wife had authority to write checks and that they were in Europe at the time of the incident.

"You try to take care of people and provide them a living. And they stab you in the back like this," Hingston told the Joliet Herald-News during a recent phone interview.

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In 2003, the Joliet native was charged in Arizona with felony forgery, but several years later, the charges were dismissed after authorities apparently gave up on trying to find her, the Joliet paper noted. In a nutshell, her criminal case never went to trial. She was never convicted, nor was acquitted.

And that's probably why the criminal case is starting to creep back up again. It has the potential to become a huge distraction for Staley-Ferry over the next several months as she hits the campaign trail and tries to convince voters she's the most qualified candidate to hold a higher office in Will County politics.

"I am proud to announce my candidacy for Will County Clerk, and I am ready to continue the tradition of fair elections, that are run efficiently and effectively," Staley-Ferry said in a press release announcing her candidacy four months ago.

At 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Joliet Patch reached out to Staley-Ferry by email sending her five questions in regards to her forgery case out of Arizona. Patch informed her that it intended to publish a story for its Will County-area readers on Thursday, December 7.

The five questions sent to Staley-Ferry were as follows:

• Why should the voters of Will County trust you?

• If your case had gone to trial in Arizona, how would you have pleaded?

• If your plea would have been not-guilty, what would have been your defense or justification for your actions?

• If you had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Michael Hingston at this point in time, what would you say to him?
• Why should the voters of Will County overlook this incident of forgery from your past?

On Wednesday evening, Staley-Ferry responded by email.

Here is an edited summary of her written correspondence she sent to Joliet Patch.

"I greatly appreciate the opportunity to explain. I have been writing a statement, which I will issue tomorrow. I will definitely send it to you. Your questions are important and I've taken them all into consideration with my statement. Will be in touch."

On Thursday afternoon, Staley-Ferry provided the following statement to Joliet Patch related to her case.

"Over 15 years ago I faced what I believe to be an extreme situation with no way out. I made a mistake that I am truly sorry for. When confronted then, I told the truth and did my best to rectify the situation. In the many years since then, I have continually worked to make up for my past and become a person people depend upon and trust.

"I understand many people face difficult situations and I take full responsibility for my poor decision. I have to live with the disappointment I have caused others and for that I am truly sorry.

"My years working with Make-A-Wish, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Spanish Community Center, women’s advocacy groups and many other reputable organizations have helped me further realize the importance of public service.

"I’m far from perfect but have used my past experiences to make positive changes in my life. Since then, I have continually worked to not let this incident define me, and to be an honorable person.

In order for me to be a role model for my son, I finished college, worked 11 years at a global firm, and earned numerous promotions along the way. I’ve demonstrated that I am a loyal employee and dedicated public servant — qualities I have proven, time and again over the years — the same qualities I will bring to the Clerk’s office."

According to the Will County Clerk's Office, a total of three candidates filed papers to hold the office in next year's election. Laurie McPhillips of Plainfield is running as a Republican. There are two candidates running for the Democrat nomination, Staley-Ferry as well as Denise Mushro-Rumchak of Crest Hill.

The general primary election is March 20.

In recent days, controversy surrounding Staley-Ferry's forgery case has been creating friction within some circles of the Will County Democrat Party on social media. For instance, in the Will County Young Democrats Facebook forum, Donna Kudla Dyxin made it a point to share a pair of Joliet Herald-News articles about Staley-Ferry with fellow members.

"A candidate for this position should have an impeccable record. I'm sorry but this is not the way it should be. When I just mentioned that I was going to throw my hat in the ring for this position, ex federal employee with the clearance, I felt threatened. I am still ready and willing to fill this position," Kudla Dyxin wrote everyone.

In the Facebook forum, Joe Van Duyne wrote back, "I don't understand your statement Donna Kudla Dyxin. Maybe you should wait to get the whole story. Also, you mentioned you were going to throw your hat in the ring, but felt threatened? By who? And now, you're ready to fill the position? Without circulating petitions and filing? How is that going to happen?"

Jennifer Jobe-Gavin replied, "Donna Kudia Dyxin, I have to say I am truly disappointed in this post ... To be honest, this sounds like a bitter post! I like the two candidates we have for the party."

To which Donna Kudla Dyxin responded by writing, "I am not bitter. Only honest. So sorry you haven't heard the truth. I backed off after threatened. I am the best and said that in August. Young democrats have a right to know the truth too. Mid terms (sic) elections don't bring many of any voters to the polls. They should also know that. If she is the best, her story will be told."

Main image provided to Patch via Lauren Staley-Ferry campaign last summer, other images via Lauren Staley-Ferry for Will County Clerk Facebook Page