Rauner Met With Ex-Partner In Governor's Mansion, Schedule Shows

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Gov. Bruce Rauner's official calendar shows he met with a former business associate at the governor's official residence, the Associated Press reports. The AP obtained the governor's schedule for May 11, 2015 under the Freedom of Information Act indicating that Rauner met with Harreld "Kip" Kirkpatrick.

In a lawsuit filed last October and unsealed recently against Rauner's objections, Kirkpatrick said the two discussed an investment made before the governor's 2014 election.

The lawsuit concerns how millions of dollars from a $67.5 legal settlement obtained as a result of Kirkpatrick suing when he was removed from his position in charge of the Michigan-based United Shore Financial Services.

According to the suit, Rauner obtained $15 million profit from a $5 million investment in the firm. In two meetings with Kirkpatrick in 2015, the governor allegedly did not object to his share of the proceeds.

A Rauner spokesperson disputed Kirkpatrick's allegations, reiterating the governor's position he is "not involved in day-to-day investment decisions," according to the AP.

A spokesperson for State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), who is challenging Rauner in the March 20 primary, drew a parallel between Kirkpatrick's allegations and criticism of the governor's actions in office, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

“Lying and screwing people out of their money is apparently a practice Bruce Rauner brought with him from his dealings in the private sector to his dealings as Governor.”

Rauner's staff declined to answer directly when asked whether the governor had any concern about conducting private business on state property, according to the Chicago Tribune.

» Read more from the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune

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