New Illinois Auditor General Leaves Trail Of Questionable Spending

The new Illinois Auditor General, who just started his 10-year term, has raised serious questions over some of some spending his political campaign did.

CBS 2's Brad Edwards reports.

The state's top watch-dog is Frank Mautino,  a former state representative and Democrat from Ottawa. He's basically your tax dollar accountability cop.

Kirk Allen with Edgar County Watchdogs, an independent government watchdog group, broke the story after reviewing campaign spending reports related to Mautino's time in the legislature.

Red flags include $22,670.83 in dinners at a restaurant connected to Mautino's family; $213,338.31 on gas and repairs to campaign vehicles – all at Happy's Super Service Station, over a decade.

In addition, there were $26,000 in loans and $94,000 in payments on said loans.

"If he can account for all that, then great, if he can't he needs to step down," Allen says.

The auditor is a non-partisan position. CBS 2 sought comment from Gov. Bruce Rauner, but his press staff said no comment.

A statement from Mautino's representative said, in part, "His reports fully detail campaign expenditures that were made."