It would appear that East St. Louis Township Supervisor Oliver Hamilton may soon be adding the credential of felon to his extensive resume.
That’s contingent upon the outcome of an investigation into township finances after the township was served with a federal subpoena, following news that Hamilton reportedly spent $84,970, within an 18-month period, using a township American Express Card on a plethora of items including construction materials, tools, cleaning supplies, tractor tires, gasoline, car washes, and trips to Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
For those who may be oblivious to the function of the East St. Louis Township, it exists as an antiquated government entity tasked with the purpose of distributing aid to the financially destitute, receiving $1.6 million in taxes from a community in which 45.4 percent live in poverty.
However, only $285,780 found its way to those in need last year (that’s only 18 cents for every tax dollar). The remainder was spent on a political patronage jobs, overhead and Hamilton’s apparent spending sprees.
Then there is the absence of basic accounting procedures, checks and balances, or financial safeguards. For example, checks are routinely issued with Hamilton’s stamped signature versus having two signatures to authorize payment.
And apparently Hamilton’s expenditures were a mystery to board members Ricky Eastern and Edith Moore, who were oblivious to Hamilton’s Las Vegas trips and other charges because, they claim, the charges never came before the board for approval.
Hamilton disagrees, saying that his charges did, in fact, go before the board. So either someone is a lying or is malfeasant in their duties. Either way, it’s inexcusable.
Oh, and did I mention conflicts of interest? How about having your sister as a paid $33,000-a-year township financial consultant? Well, June Hamilton Dean serves in that capacity, in addition to moonlighting as an ESL City Council member and Scott Air Force Base employee. Hamilton Dean also has a township American Express card in her name.
But, despite this flagrant conflict of interest, Hamilton Dean refers to herself as “Miss No” because she claims that she does business “by the book.” But perhaps she should have said “no” to her job with the township.
All of these expenditures are exacerbated by the fact that there is nothing to show for the outlay of charges.
When Hamilton was quizzed about two trips to Las Vegas, in May and December of 2015 (accompanied by township board member Michael Roberts and their wives), he claimed to be attending a seminar on hydroponics.
However, upon checking with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, I was informed that no hydroponics seminars were scheduled during those months.
And during that same 18-month period, the ESL Township paid $45,700 to a defunct construction company, which operates out of Hamilton’s dilapidated boarding house at 1232 Cleveland Ave. The company, Padron Construction, is owned by Hamilton’s friend Earnest Walker.
Walker is also the manager of Hamilton’s boarding house.
I’ll leave it to the feds to get to the bottom of this sordid financial mess, but between the conflicting information, excessive spending and lack of accountability by Hamilton and the ESL Township, I smell indictments, convictions and incarceration for those who may have been complicit in this abuse of ESL tax dollars and the public trust.
Once again, the needy citizens of East Boogie have been victimized by the greedy, inept “public serpents” of their community.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.
