Officials at publicly-funded university reportedly racked up big bills at the school’s fine-dining restaurant.
Federal prosecutors have reportedly opened a criminal investigation at the College of DuPage, issuing two subpoenas this week to search for documents tied to spending and other matters.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the subpoenas were served to college administrators Monday and cover administrator expenses, contracts with the college’s fundraising foundation and credits awarded to police recruits at a law enforcement academy on the Glen Ellyn campus.
The criminal investigation follows previously reported investigations by DuPage County prosecutors and state education officials and comes amid an election for three new Board of Trustees members.
Earlier this year the community college was reportedly subpoenaed to turn over financial records after reports of top administrators’ extravagant spending on the taxpayers’ dime.
Officials at the publicly funded college reportedly ran up big tabs at the school's fine-dining restaurant to a total of more than $190,000 over the course of the past three years, the Chicago Tribune found, by expensing exuberant meals and copious amounts of pricey alcohol.
College President Robert Breuder and other senior managers hosted meals on nearly 500 occasions since 2011, the Trib reports, when the 130-seat Waterleaf restaurant opened. The college picked up the bills. One meal cost nearly $200 per person.
Former College of DuPage board chairman David Carlin said Breuder picked up the checks at several Waterleaf business meals he attended.
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Prosecutors planned to examine the university’s spending, which a college spokesperson said they are okay with.
"The college has and will fully cooperate with any government investigation," college attorney Respicio Vazquez said in a statement to the Tribune.
