NewsChicago Sun-TimesJuly 2, 2026Illinois
Financial Troubles and Contracting Scandal Involving Former Lightfoot Aide
Former Chicago Chief Operating Officer Paul Goodrich is at the center of a City Hall scandal involving unauthorized work and $9.6 million in disputed invoices submitted by a contractor who hired Goodrich's son. An investigation by the Office of the Inspector General found that Goodrich attempted to increase the contractor's scope of work while his son was employed there, despite Goodrich having a history of undisclosed IRS tax liens.
Chicago City HallGovernment EthicsProcurement ScandalLori LightfootBrandon JohnsonPublic Contracting
Read the full story at Chicago Sun-Times Why It Matters
The city is currently seeking to ban the contractor, EKI-Digital, from future work, while taxpayers face potential legal costs and the fallout from $9.6 million in disputed billing claims.
Key Facts
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Who's Mentioned
personBrandon Johnson“Current mayor whose staff is seeking to ban the contractor involved in the scand”personPaul Goodrich“Former aide to Mayor Lori Lightfoot at the center of a contracting and hiring sc”personDeborah Witzburg“Recommended banning the contractor after investigating the billing irregularitie”personLori Lightfoot“Hired Goodrich in 2021; administration is under scrutiny for its vetting process”organizationInternal Revenue Service“Filed multiple tax liens against Paul Goodrich and his wife.”personMara Georges“Representing Robert Blackwell Jr. in the dispute over the city contract ban.”organizationEKI-Digital“Company owned by Robert Blackwell Jr. currently facing a potential city contract”personRobert Blackwell Jr.“City contractor who hired Goodrich's son and submitted $9.6 million in disputed ”