Ethics Probe into WYCC “Political Videos”
Chi-Town Daily News carries this story of a probe being opened into WYCC (the taxpayer-funded PBS station at the City Colleges of Chicago) over the production of blatantly political video content for the station:
Under orders from then-Chancellor Wayne Watson, the PBS television station at City Colleges of Chicago used its budget to produce free videos of powerful politicians and friends of the chancellor, an internal college e-mail shows.
The political programs, dating between 2002 and 2006, spawned a state ethics investigation and figure into a new federal lawsuit that alleges the publicly funded WYCC television station violated the terms of its government grant funding and broke federal tax rules for charities.
When the station’s former manager complained about the political projects, she was fired, according to the lawsuit.
The political programs showcased golf events, a fundraiser and a “State Senate California Trip” in connection with then-State Senate President Emil Jones. Then-Ald. Todd Stroger and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, among others, also were featured in programs.
Kudos to the state Office of the Inspector General for opening an investigation into this matter — and we look forward to seeing the results, especially since the TV station gets considerable funding from already-strapped federal and state taxpayers:
Last year, WYCC got $865,000 in federal grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $116,000 from the Illinois Arts Council, according to budget documents.
-
Get Mobile Updates
