A Democratic lawmaker says Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino, a fellow Democrat, should take a leave of absence during the ongoing federal investigation of his campaign spending.
Aruguing that a leave of absence would be in the best interest of the state and taxpayers, State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) sent a letter to Mautino asking that he step away from his post while the federal government looks into his campaign spending as a state legislator. The Spring Valley politician, a Democrat, served in the Illinois House from 1991 until last year, when he was tapped for the role of Illinois Auditor General to replace William Holland, who retired.
Mautino has faced calls for answers about his past use of campaign funds, including large payments his political committee made to a bank and a vehicle service station in Spring Valley. Twenty Illinois GOP lawmakers, led by Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville), released a letter last month seeking answers from Mautino, with inquiries in the spending starting back in November amongst the GOP. On Thursday, Wehrli said Mautino should take an unpaid leave of absence during the federal probe.
Last month, the state board of elections gave Mautino a July 1 deadline to provide details on his expenditures, which is a result of a citizen's complaint. Mautino also acknowledged two weeks ago that he is under investigation by the federal government.