Two Chicago water department officials have been suspended pending the outcome of a probe into racist and sexist emails.
In a continuing shake-up at the Chicago Water Department triggered by the discovery of racially insensitive and sexist emails, two more supervisors now face the potential loss of their jobs, City Hall officials said Tuesday.
Placed on paid administrative leave pending disciplinary decisions were Thomas J. Durkin, the general foreman of plumbers, and John “Jack” Lee Jr., a district superintendent, said Gary Litherland, spokesman for the Department of Water Management.
Their status is the result of an ongoing investigation by Inspector General Joseph Ferguson, Litherland said. A City Hall source confirmed that it was the same investigation into emails that led to a shake-up that began in May.
That’s when Barrett Murphy, the former department commissioner; William Bresnahan, who was managing deputy commissioner; and Paul Hansen, who like Lee was a district superintendent, all resigned.
The Tribune earlier this month first reported that Hansen sent to Murphy and Bresnahan emails in early 2014 that included anti-Islamic and racially insensitive language.
Hansen also sent an email that included sexist language as he made fun of a colleague in response to a lengthy message that colleague sent to Hansen about a frozen water main. “After all that long winded jib jab that i could get plenty of at home with the kotex mafia, you going back!” Hansen wrote.
Durkin was the recipient of that email, which the Tribune did not report at the time because it wasn’t yet known that Durkin was under investigation. When Durkin replied, using profanity, Hansen sent him another reply that included further sexist language and copied Lee. “Love it,” Lee responded.
Attempts to contact Durkin and Lee were unsuccessful late Tuesday.
The emails were provided to the Tribune in response to an open records request. They include just some of the messages that are part of the investigation, a source familiar with the matter said.
The probe that led to the shake-up began about nine months ago. Ferguson’s office was looking into water department emails about gun deals when it discovered sexist and racist emails, sources have told the Tribune. Hansen’s computer was seized as part of that investigation, the sources said.
Murphy, the former commissioner, is married to Lynn Lockwood, who at one time was chairman and treasurer of one of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s political funds and is a friend of Chicago first lady Amy Rule.
Emanuel last month said he was made aware by Ferguson’s office of a problem with “one particular employee” and “in that process, it exposed a culture in the Water Department workplace” that doesn’t represent city values.
He also said that Murphy agreed after the emails surfaced that there should be a reset in the culture of the agency, now headed by Commissioner Randy Conner, who moved over from the city Department of Transportation.
Hansen also has political connections. He’s the son of former 44th Ward Ald. Bernard Hansen.
hdardick@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ReporterHal
Chicago Clout has continued to report corruption because taxpayers are tired of the lawsuits and people deserve fair and equal employment. On February 5, 2015, Brian Tierney went to 3205 Old Glenview in Wilmette for “solicitation of a sexual act”. Brian P. Tierney knowingly agreed with a Wilmette Officer to pay $250.00 for one and one half hours of oral sex and sex. Brian also “wanted a girlfriend experience”. Brian than handed the police officer $250.00 united States Currency to the undercover officer for the sexual acts. Tierney, an employee of the City of Chicago Department of Water Management, works under Paul Hansen, son of former Alderman Hansen of the 44th ward. The City of Chicago Department of Water Management, North District has been part of Hired Truck, hiring corruption, bribes for overtime, and a heroin ring. The City of Chicago Department of Water Management official response is “It is a Police matter, let the Police handle it”. Translation, we ain’t doing crap about this clout guy. The Chicago Inspector General has always done nothing because they are cowards and frauds. If you are interested in watching the case get dismissed, please join me at the
One of the better State Representatives in Illinois is from the 33rd District, Luis Arroyo. Rep. Arroyo is very calm and unflappable. He has a good sense of humor and is currently working on his new offices. Yes, he has permits, thanks! Luis needed the water shut off and called his friends at the Department of Water Management. Patrick McDonough and Ronald Bober responded and made sure a leak crew would come to the rescue later that night. Rep. Arroyo did not ask for any extra special favors from the department. He asked me about his son, who is doing a great job with the teamsters at the Water Department. I told him his son works very hard and is a good example for fellow employees. We also talked about some employees that are “rough around the edges”. Luis Arroyo is doing a good job for the community and enjoyed his picture with Ronald Bober, a hard working member of Laborer’s Union. When great public servants want the Water Department’s best employees, they call for Truck 1308. Thank for the words of wisdom Rep. Luis Arroyo!!! Photo by Patrick McDonough 
This is one of many photos I took at the City of Chicago Air and Water Show practice 2011. I used to go to the Jardine Plant as a City of Chicago employee but I think the practice has ended. Now, I hop on my boat, exit Diversey Harbor and get right underneath the aircraft. It is an amazing sight to get so close; the planes skim right over the water. There are many Police and Coast Guard Boats patrolling the area. I have some more photos I am thinking of sharing. Maybe Rahm Emanuel can ride the planes and then declare “Mission Accomplished” with the City Budget soon. Just an idea. Photo by Patrick McDonough
