Water Dept. Probe Has Daley Ties

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 24, 2008 5:00PM

A City Water Department official who is currently the subject of a probe has some ties to the mayor. Deputy Commissioner Tommie Talley is being investigated for allegedly using Chicago Water Management equipment and employees "to fix or improve sewer and water pipes" for private citizens, not public improvements. One of the locations under investigation is the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Bridgeport, though Rev. Daniel Brandt, the church's pastor, denies any illegal activity:

I’d open up my books to them and open up my doors to them to let them know the work on the property was fully paid for. I’m sure there was a day and a time when the city would do things, but that’s just suicide now, especially in the high-profile parish that this is.

As for Talley's ties to MayDay, Crain's describes it thusly:

Mr. Talley is active in the 11th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, which is run by Cook County Commissioner John Daley, the mayor’s brother. Mr. Talley also once was part of an affiliated political group headed by former First Deputy Water Commissioner Donald Tomczak, who was convicted in the Hired Truck scandal.

We bet his street gets plowed every time it snows, too.