Mudron Violates Ethics Law With Joliet Museum Insurance Deal: IG

JOLIET, IL —Joliet's out of town inspector general has issued another report regarding Pat Mudron, this one concluding that the two-term Joliet City Councilman used his political power and influence to generate more money for his insurance business, Mudron Kane.

"This investigation finds Mudron Kane providing insurance to the (Joliet Area Historical Museum) is a violation of the Joliet Code of Ethics ... and Illinois state law by Councilman Mudron," declared Westmont Attorney Sean Connolly in his latest report, which is dated Aug. 14.

Connolly's report calls for "the Illinois Attorney General to investigate whether Councilman Patrick Mudron violated ... state laws by Mudron Kane entering into a contract with the (Joliet Area Historical Museum) to provide insurance coverage.

"This supplemental investigation finds Mudron Kane provides insurance to the (Joliet Area Historical Museum) and has for at least the past three years. The JAHM is a component unit to the City of Joliet. Mr. Joe Kane, a principal of Mudron Kane, served as the broker and point of contact to the JAHM.

"As stated above, Councilman Mudron is a principal of Mudron Kane and as a result it is a conflict of interest for Mudron Kane to provide insurance to the JAHM."

On Sunday, Joliet Patch left a voicemail message with Mudron seeking comment for this latest story, but he did not call back this time, either.

On Aug. 10, Joliet Patch broke what the WJOL news radio station called a "bombshell" story, headlined: "$248,000 Rialto Contract For Pat Mudron Violated Ethics Code: IG"

In the Aug, 10 Joliet Patch article, a 78-page report prepared by Joliet's Westmont-based inspector general determined two-term Councilman Mudron violated the city's code of ethics by obtaining a no-bid $248,000 contract in April to provide the Rialto Square Theatre with insurance coverage.

Mudron served as the Joliet City Council's liaison to the Rialto, and he also operates a Joliet insurance company, Mudron Kane Insurance, at 113 Republic Ave.

According to Connolly's follow-up investigative report from Aug. 14, his private investigator Martin Walsh interviewed Joliet Area Historical Museum Executive Director Greg Peerbolte on Aug. 10 and again on Aug. 12.

According to the findings, "Mudron Kane had the contract/brokerage business with the (Joliet area Historical Museum) for at least three years. Prior to Mudron Kane, Northern Insurance had the contract. Mr. (Peerbolte) stated he did not believe the insurance contract was 'bid,' but the museum does use the City of Joliet’s contract compliance rules. He said his contact at Mudron Kane is Joe Kane and the carrier for the (Joliet Area Historical Museum) is Cincinnati; this is the same carrier currently providing insurance to the Rialto Theater."

Connolly's report indicated Peerboldt "said he was very satisfied with Mudron Kane’s services. Mudron Kane took over the policy from Northern Insurance, which was brokered by Armand DeAndrea."