Ex-La Grange Official Embroiled In Controversy In New Job

VILLA PARK, IL – A Villa Park official called a subordinate a "gold digger" who has affairs with co-workers and said she would like to fire her, according to a transcript.

In the same conversation, she described her boss as "wishy-washy."

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In December, the village's finance director, Suzy Mika, was secretly recorded by a village trustee, Khalid Sabri, at his local office, according to the village.

Mika was La Grange's finance director from 2023 to 2025.

Mika and Sabri did not return messages for comment on Friday. In May 2025, Villa Park hired Mika. Sabri was appointed around the same time.

On Saturday, Patch obtained the transcript through a public records request.

Patch also reported on Monday about the controversy over the trustee's secret recording.

During an August meeting, Village President Kevin Patrick referred to portions of the transcript as "deeply concerning."

The quotes in this story come from the village's transcript.

In the transcript, Mika complained about the subordinate's performance, calling her a "problem child."

"She should have been gone a long time ago. She should have been fired," Mika said.

Mika named two employees who she said were having affairs with the subordinate.

"She's a gold digger. She's looking for somebody with money," Mika said. "Now, she's trying to get involved with a couple of other men."

She said the woman was driving a $120,000 BMW.

"She is a secretary at best. She is a vulture," Mika said. "I see red every time I see her."

Mika also told Khalid that the employee was often late, coming in with an iced coffee. But she said others were stopping her from firing the subordinate. She said there is fear the woman may file a sexual harassment lawsuit.

She also suggested the woman may explain her tardiness because her home was far away.

"I don't give a sh– where you live," Mika said.

Sabri told Mika that "we're going to stop this."

'Wishy-washy'

According to the transcript, Mika also spoke about her work situation. She said that based on her research, she was underpaid.

"I've been busting my ass, and when I can't come to work, I work from home, so I make sure that payroll is processed," Mika said. "If there's something going on with my personal life, I still make sure it happens."

She said her boss, Village Manager Michael Rivas, has been "good to me."

"But I feel like he's not strong on some things, and he's wishy-washy on some things, and you can't be," Mika said.

Mika started around the same time as Rivas, who was previously the village's police chief.

In the transcript, Mika said she asked Rivas why another employee wasn't fired over performance. She said Rivas told her that the village couldn't let go the person because of the employee's age and sexual orientation.

'I want to retire here'

Despite her misgivings, Mika said she wanted to stay with the village.

"I'm only 50. I have at least 15 years," she told Sabri. "I don't plan on going anywhere. I want to retire here. I want my legacy to finish here."

In response, Sabri promised Mika the board's full support and a "proper cleanup."

"If it's going to be manager Rivas, if he has to go, we will make sure that it will be done. But it has to be done in the proper way," Sabri said.

Rivas and Mika remain in their jobs.