CHICAGO - Gov. George Ryan's campaign fund has hired an accounting firm to sort out how an extra $156,000 ended up in the governor's coffers.

In a letter filed with the State Board of Elections last week, attorney Robert M. Andalman says a Big 6 accounting firm is searching for the "bookkeeping error, or errors" that led to the change in the campaign's reported balance.

Andalman declined to elaborate on the letter Tuesday.

"It appears to us that they are actively trying to pursue a resolution to this issue," said Ron Michaelson, executive director of the State Board of Elections.

The board contacted Ryan's campaign in December, after Citizens for Ryan amended its 2000 semiannual disclosure report to include the extra $156,000. The report described the money as an "adjustment" to the fund's account at North Community Bank but did not give its source.

Ryan's fund held $2.4 million at the time of the adjustment.

Under state elections laws, campaigns must disclose all contributions and expenditures and give the source of any donations or loans that exceed $150.

North Community Bank's chief executive is Peter Fasseas, whose wife, Paula, served on the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority until the spring of 2000 and sits on the bank's board. Lawrence Warner, a friend of Ryan's, also serves on the North Community board.

Yayoo!

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2002