CHICAGO, IL - The Mayor of Chicago, Democrat Brandon Johnson, is facing intense scrutiny following serious allegations from the City’s Inspector General that he failed to properly document high-end, luxury gift items and restricted access to what is being referred to as a “gift room” in City Hall.
The City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General (OIG) aired these allegations in a public report released on Wednesday according to Fox News, which outlined accusations of Johnson accepting lavish gifts such as a bottle of Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey, a personalized Montblanc pen, a 2023 U.S. National Soccer Team jersey, and designer jewelry, and apparel such as Hugo Boss cuff links, a Gucci tote bag, a Kate Spade red purse, and Carrucci size 14 shoes.
The OIG report stated, “When gifts are changing hands — perhaps literally — in a windowless room in City Hall, there is no opportunity for oversight and public scrutiny of the propriety of such gifts, the identities and intentions of the gift-givers, or what it means for gifts like whiskey, jewelry, handbags, and size 14 men’s shoes to be accepted ‘on behalf of the City,” according to The New York Post.
The mayor’s office reportedly denied access to the “gift room” to the Inspector General officials when they asked to examine the room and its contents. When they insisted, they were met with Chicago police officers, who instructed them to wait in the elevator lobby.
“Following that denial, OIG engaged in further conversations with the Department of Law (DOL) regarding access to the gift room,” the Post cited from the report. “Ultimately, DOL — apparently representing the Mayor in opposition to OIG — communicated that OIG would not be granted access to the Gift Room.”
Johnson’s chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, later informed the officials that the mayor’s office would allow OIG access to the gift room and begin complying with the city’s public reporting requirement for gifts— but only once they had a “properly scheduled appointment.”
Austin Berg of Illinois Policy, a non-profit organization fighting government corruption, poverty, and high taxes in Illinois and Chicago, published the report to X, writing, “Chicago’s Government Ethics Ordinance (GEO) prohibits city officials, including the mayor, from accepting gifts over $50. One exception is that officials may take gifts that are 'accepted on behalf of the City.'
"These gifts are supposed to be approved in advance by the Board of Ethics, then promptly reported to the Board of Ethics and city comptroller after they are received. The comptroller is then supposed to add these gifts to the city’s inventory. But that’s not what’s happening.”
In a statement Wednesday reported by The Chicago Tribune, Johnson responded by claiming the report was a “mischaracterization.” He also denied his office barred the OIG officials from accessing the “gift room” claiming, this was “not the case.”
“There is a process that everybody has to go through. Nobody is above the law,” he added. “There is a clear process.”
Pacione-Zayas responded in a statement, saying, “This administration has and will continue to comply with all guidance from the Board of Ethics. … Our duty to do so is without objection,” However, she continued to reject that the OIG should have unfettered access, writing, “The Mayor’s Office shall make gifts available for inspection by the OIG as soon as practicable. The (municipal code) does not require the Mayor’s Office to make gifts available for unannounced inspections.”
The City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General (OIG) aired these allegations in a public report released on Wednesday according to Fox News, which outlined accusations of Johnson accepting lavish gifts such as a bottle of Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey, a personalized Montblanc pen, a 2023 U.S. National Soccer Team jersey, and designer jewelry, and apparel such as Hugo Boss cuff links, a Gucci tote bag, a Kate Spade red purse, and Carrucci size 14 shoes.
The OIG report stated, “When gifts are changing hands — perhaps literally — in a windowless room in City Hall, there is no opportunity for oversight and public scrutiny of the propriety of such gifts, the identities and intentions of the gift-givers, or what it means for gifts like whiskey, jewelry, handbags, and size 14 men’s shoes to be accepted ‘on behalf of the City,” according to The New York Post.
The mayor’s office reportedly denied access to the “gift room” to the Inspector General officials when they asked to examine the room and its contents. When they insisted, they were met with Chicago police officers, who instructed them to wait in the elevator lobby.
“Following that denial, OIG engaged in further conversations with the Department of Law (DOL) regarding access to the gift room,” the Post cited from the report. “Ultimately, DOL — apparently representing the Mayor in opposition to OIG — communicated that OIG would not be granted access to the Gift Room.”
Johnson’s chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, later informed the officials that the mayor’s office would allow OIG access to the gift room and begin complying with the city’s public reporting requirement for gifts— but only once they had a “properly scheduled appointment.”
Austin Berg of Illinois Policy, a non-profit organization fighting government corruption, poverty, and high taxes in Illinois and Chicago, published the report to X, writing, “Chicago’s Government Ethics Ordinance (GEO) prohibits city officials, including the mayor, from accepting gifts over $50. One exception is that officials may take gifts that are 'accepted on behalf of the City.'
"These gifts are supposed to be approved in advance by the Board of Ethics, then promptly reported to the Board of Ethics and city comptroller after they are received. The comptroller is then supposed to add these gifts to the city’s inventory. But that’s not what’s happening.”
2/ Chicago’s Government Ethics Ordinance (GEO) prohibits city officials, including the mayor, from accepting gifts over $50. One exception is that officials may take gifts that are “accepted on behalf of the City.” These gifts are supposed to be approved in advance by the Board… pic.twitter.com/qd7PlFdBTV
— Austin Berg (@Austin__Berg) January 29, 2025
In a statement Wednesday reported by The Chicago Tribune, Johnson responded by claiming the report was a “mischaracterization.” He also denied his office barred the OIG officials from accessing the “gift room” claiming, this was “not the case.”
“There is a process that everybody has to go through. Nobody is above the law,” he added. “There is a clear process.”
Pacione-Zayas responded in a statement, saying, “This administration has and will continue to comply with all guidance from the Board of Ethics. … Our duty to do so is without objection,” However, she continued to reject that the OIG should have unfettered access, writing, “The Mayor’s Office shall make gifts available for inspection by the OIG as soon as practicable. The (municipal code) does not require the Mayor’s Office to make gifts available for unannounced inspections.”
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Comments
35 days ago | Comment by: James
Uh! Just another black Thug! This one just figured out how to get elected! Better check who really voted for him! I am sure it was a dirty election!!!