Arrangement raises potential conflict of interest issues for GOP candidate for governor.
Another type of potential conflict emerged in mid-May. Aby the Tribune and Aurora Beacon-News uncovered how Irvin came to the scene of his then-girlfriend’s arrest by Aurora police for allegedly hitting a store security guard. According to a police report, an officer overheard Irvin saying the charges “would be taken care of.”
Republican candidate for governor Richard Irvin at a meeting with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on May 17, 2022. “Anytime you’ve got a situation where people can question whether you’re taking into account personal feelings … in supervising or hiring, then people wonder what’s the motivation: Is it entirely in the best interests of the city? Or are you pulling punches or putting your thumb on the scale because of personal relationships?” Redfield said.
Irvin and Pegues did disclose their ownership of the firm in required city filings in spring 2021 that are onlythe Aurora clerk. Irvin submitted his the same day Aurora voters reelected him. Tax filings provided by Irvin’s campaign, for the period ending December 2021, show the firm reported no revenue. Expenses included $1,900, which the campaign said was for accountants, $3,600 on the latest office site and another $1,787 for travel last year. The campaign said the travel money went to cover a trip to Washington, D.C., to help get the firm certified as veteran-owned.The 2021 tax return also showed a $1,200 reimbursement.
Demertzis, with Irvin’s campaign, said the mayor and Pegues started the firm with the Virginia men because of their specialty in information technology. She said the pair was not promised any city benefits or business when they joined the new venture. When they left, their seed money was returned to them, she said.one of 49 bills