FOP Infighting

While we'd prefer to keep dirty laundry in-house, sometimes sunlight is the best disinfectant:

• As maintained by several rank-and file members of the FOP, requests to review documents such as board minutes, financials, treasurer reports, and audit committee reviews have been denied or permitted under very narrow time constraints. FOP members say prior to FOP President John Catanzara assuming leadership over the union, bids to examine documents were fulfilled without caveat or delay.

  In addition to refusing members unfettered access to union documents, FOP members say changes to union rules have become arbitrary, often occurring after requests to review official documents are lodged. FOP members state the union’s board has developed the practice of introducing bylaws without assenting to FOP procedure established in the union constitution. An unconstitutional exercise, rank-and-file who seek answers to rule changes or dispute limitations on the review of documents are brushed off and told to respect new regulations.

  Though these revelations are concerning, more troubling is questions over financial activities under current leadership. FOP members state union documents reveal board members profligate life at the expense of member dues. A recent discovery in meeting records unveiled a lavish feast at which board members dined one evening at Lawry’s The Prime Rib. While the topics discussed at the dinner table are unknown, the board’s visit to Lawry’s cost the rank-and-file an epic $4,500. In another instance, members tell of thousands of dollars in member dues spent for the purposes of entertainment wholly unrelated to FOP affairs.

When you're passing by-laws to restrict info that belongs to the members, you deserve (A) the stink-eye and (B) a thorough audit.

When a cursory glance at records reveals a $4,500 bill at Lawry's with ZERO notes as to what union business was conducted at such a cost, you've lost your way.

When a deeper dive allegedly finds a skybox at the All State Arena (not even in Chicago and certainly not police related) you probably deserve a flogging.