Grafton Supervisor Sues Trustees, Township Attorney

The battle for control over Grafton Township stepped up another notch Wednesday as Supervisor Linda Moore filed suit against the Township's trustees and the attorney she insisted the Board accept. Meanwhile the newly-hired Township Administrator claimed the Township's financial records have disappeared and FEN turned up more evidence that the State's Attorney's Office is investigating the Supervisor.

Moore's suit charges trustees threw her out of what was the Supervisor's office and changed the lock, blocked her from the Township phone system, locked her out of the Township computer network and intercepted her mail. It also charges Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer refuses to accept being fired by Moore in December.  The suit claims Moore fired Administrator Pam Fender at an unspecified date, too.

Moore has complained Trustees are trying to "micromanage" her but in the suit charges they aren't allowed to manage her at all.

"This is a separation of powers case," said Rockford Attorney John Nelson whom Moore hired for the Township in her capacity as Supervisor.  "It involves the fundamental right of voters to select their representatives."

Nelson asked for an emergency preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order but Judge Maureen McIntyre denied those saying there wasn't an emergency.  A date for arguments on a regular injunction and restraining order is expected to be set Monday.  The main case it set for scheduling July 14.

In a posting to Internet bulletin board Huntley Neighbors Wednesday afternoon Fender charged Moore had "her IT guy" remove the Township's computerized financial records which trustees last week ordered audited because of "discrepancies."  She also claimed Moore rigged the township phones to forward calls to a cellphone set on "a quiet tone" abandoned on a backroom desk.

Krafthefer had already confirmed that the Township financial records are missing on the Township computers.

Krafthefer likewise confirmed FEN's report last week that the McHenry County State's Attorney is investigating the Grafton Township conflict.  She said she has spoken repeatedly with an investigator looking into charges Moore made unauthorized withdrawals from and deposits to personal checking accounts of township employees.

Grafton Township's regular monthly meeting is set for this evening at the Park District, 7:30 pm.

In the pic:  Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore and Grafton Township's latest attorney, John Nelson, leaving the McHenry County Courthouse Wednesday.