Buildings Chief Embarrassed By Hiring Practices (Daley Machine and Union Nepotism)

CBS 2 Chicago ^ | September 17, 2004 | CBS 2 Chicago

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

CHICAGO (CBS 2) Chicago's building commissioner apologizes for what he calls embarrassing hires. Now the two young former building inspectors could face fines.

Both 23-year-old Kevin Sexton and 19-year-old Andy Ryan are sons of high-ranking officials in the carpenter's union. They quit this week after questions were raised about their qualifications.

The hiring of Ryan sparked public outcry, and the city is vowing to send a message to other potential hires: that lying on job applications will not be tolerated.

Sources say Building Commissioner Stan Kaderbek’s job is on the line. Kaderbek can't afford any more such "embarrassments," not after throwing himself so completely on the mercy of the court of public opinion on Friday, pleading guilty to not checking resumes.

“It's my fault that we didn't do it. And I'm going to make sure it doesn't ever happen again,” Kaderbek said.

Chicago's embattled buildings commissioner accepted responsibility for the hiring of two sons of top union officials. The sons resigned as $50,000-a-year city inspectors after being accused of submitting false job applications.

“Shame on me for not checking,” Kaderbek said.

City Hall accuses Carpenters Local 13 of helping the two former inspectors falsify their credentials. The Local's president and secretary-treasurer are the fathers of the two young men. The sons allegedly got journeymen's cards without going through the standard six years of training and experience.

Kaderbek said he confronted both union bosses.

“I found holes in the resumes provided. And I said somebody needs to tell me what's going on here, otherwise they're out! And they had no answer,” Kaderbek said.

While Local 13 has contributed to Mayor Daley's political fund, City Hall had no plans to punish the union or its top officials. But 19-year-old Andy Ryan and 23-year-old Kevin Sexton, do face an administrative hearing and a possible $500 fine.

“Lying on an application is not something that can be done. It's not something we will tolerate. And we will prosecute that perjury that occurred to the fullest extent of the law,” said Chicago Corporation Counsel Mara Georges.

Trying to get reaction from Union President Mike Sexton and his son, Kevin, we visited several locations late Friday, including this one in the southwest suburbs. None of the people inside would come to the door when we knocked.

Kaderbek says his department is reviewing the backgrounds of 14 other recently hired building inspectors, but not the rest of the 175 men and women who hold the job.

Kaderbek says after inspectors have been on the job several years, experience counts more than educational background.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Now these to"supremely qualified building inspectors can more readily torment three year-old girls since they've got a lot more free time on their un-calloused hands.

[MamaLucci]

I'm SHOCKED there's corruption going on in the Daley machine!

[Popman]

I wonder if public officials can be held liable for damages if a building falls down after one of these clowns "inspected" it.