EDWARDSVILLE, Ill (KMOX) - Allegations of politically motivated, illegal e-mail surveillance by Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler’s administration, could come to a head over the next couple of nights as the county board holds its regular meeting Wednesday and a special meeting Thursday.
The meetings come after the release of some 500 pages of sealed documents related to the alleged accessing of law enforcement and judicial e-mails. Republican board member and county GOP chairman Ray Wesley, says if the allegations are true, it’s very troubling. But, he wants to hear more before making any decisions.
"We have to go through a process whereby we give anybody that's being accused of anything their right to tell us their side of it," Wesley says.
He says he'd like to hear from Prenzler and the others allegedly involved, County Administrator Doug Hulme and IT Director Rob Dorman.
"I don't know whether they're going to choose to be on the virtual meeting or not," Wesley says. "I'm hoping they do because I certainly am interested in what they have to say."
Democratic board member Mike Parkinson contends there’s no doubt what happened.
"The investigation is done. I mean, the evidence is already there. We don't need to re-do any kind of investigation," Parkinson says.
He says while there's no direct evidence Prenzler was involved, he has questions for the chairman.
"If you're Kurt Prenzler, you're either dealing with this matter appropriately in removing these people or you're complicit," Parkinson says.
Both agree that there is a process that has to be followed before discipline is handed out. They say that could begin Thursday night.
Wesley says if there was corruption, there will be bi-partisan support to take action.