Suburban Firm Gives To Politicians It Audits

LYONS, IL – A suburban Chicago auditing firm gives campaign contributions to politicians who head government bodies that it audits.

David Gonzalez, the managing partner for Chicago Heights-based GW & Associates, is also the mayor of Chicago Heights.

His firm gives to elected officials in other suburbs – the very same places where his business does audits.

The auditing firm has contributed the most to Chris Getty, the mayor of Lyons and supervisor of Lyons Township. Since 2016, the firm has given $5,450 to Getty, while doing the audits for the township for years.

The village of Lyons, meanwhile, is delinquent with its audits, not having done one for at least three years, according to state records.

Getty, who is running as an independent for Congress, did not return messages for comment this week. He has not faced opposition for either post in years.

In a response to a Patch inquiry Monday, Gonzalez said his firm complies with state campaign finance laws and professional auditing standards with its contributions.

He said audit firms are allowed to make political donations, provided the money does not impair independence.

For Getty, the contributions have averaged less than $500 per year, Gonzalez said.

"At that level, and under applicable professional standards, we do not believe such contributions impair our independence or objectivity in performing audit services," Gonzalez said. "We remain committed to maintaining full compliance with all legal and ethical requirements, including strict adherence to independence standards that govern our work."

As it happens, Chicago Heights' annual audit is late by more than five months, according to the state comptroller's website. Another firm has handled that work in recent years.

Patch found four other examples in which GW & Associates has donated to politicians heading government bodies subject to the firm's audits:

• Kyle Hastings, Orland Hills village president ($2,200)
• Frank DeSimone, Bensenville village president ($1,750)
• Jose Nevarez, Merrionette Park village president ($1,000)
• Angelo "Skip" Saviano, Elmwood Park village president ($500)