Trouble Still Brewing For Republic Windows And Doors

By Kate Gardiner in News on Sep 10, 2009 7:00PM

The wheels of justice are still turning at Republic Windows and Doors, it seems. According to the Chicago Tribune, an official from the company was arrested yesterday in connection with looting the business last year.

Sally Daly, a spokeswoman for the Cook County state's attorney's office, confirmed additional Republic Windows officials were also under investigation. The investigation centers on "moving assets or hijacking assets of the company that legally belonged to its creditors," Daly said Wednesday night.

Three search warrants were also executed Wednesday as part of the criminal investigation, Daly said. Financial charges could be brought as soon as Thursday against at least one company official, Daly said.

The company, which employed about 300 people, suddenly shut down late last year, taking with it back wages for its employees, as well as a lot of job-related TIF benefits. The employees staged a sit-in, attracting national attention, and were eventually paid about $6,000 each. In response to the lost taxpayer money, Chicago city council implemented a variety of TIF legislation, including this year's sunshine ordinance. The factory has been purchased by a new window company, which employs about a dozen of the displaced workers.