Cook County Whistleblower Fights to Get Job Back

By Katie Hauser

Published on November 16, 2006

Former Illinois parks employee Carl Lewis claims deluxe commodes were just one of the many perks enjoyed by Cook County officials.

In the case that has been branded in the Chicago area as the “Emperor’s Thrones” scandal, Lewis and other Cook County employees reported that district big-wigs swapped their new plastic portable toilets with the old wooden outhouses at the county park for their yearly 8th Ward Organization picnic. After using them for a day, the ward would then pay for the posh lavatories to be stored until the following year’s bash. According to the Lewis, these actions evidenced deep-set favoritism and corruption.

Lewis was dismissed from his position when he accused the ward of misusing public funds. He continues to work with the Teamsters Union toward his reinstatement.

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