Sangamon Sun

Several checks listed as loan payments on the campaign disclosure statements of Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino’s campaign were actually cashed at the Spring Valley City Bank, according to a citizens oversight group.

The Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) reviewed Mautino's disclosure statements from 2010 to 2015 and found that three reports of loan payments were actually checks cashed by the bank, including two identified with incorrect amounts that appeared to be rounded to whole numbers.

An Aug. 30, 2015, report lists a check for a principal payment of $5,000 and an interest payment of $457.85. The ECW connected this to a check reported by the bank for $5,457.82. The check was cashed. 

A day later, the campaign lists a principal payment of $10,000 to the bank, which the ECW links to a $10,374.24 check written to the bank. It was also cashed. 

An Aug. 30, 2010 listing has the campaign paying a principal amount of $8,000. The corresponding check, for $8,290.40, was also cashed.

“These transactions and their reporting are highly suspicious and point to fraudulent reporting and possible money laundering if these cashed checks were not used as actual loan payments,” the ECW posted on its Illinois Leaks website. “One can only wonder when our State Auditor General is going to step down, which must happen if he refuses to answer questions related to highly irregular campaign spending practices.”