DANVILLE -- Following a notice of alleged misconduct and bribery in Vermilion County, a CEO has resigned, and other board members are calling the investigation "political theater."
Mike Marron, CEO and President of Vermilion Advantage, resigned from his position on Thursday.
Marron's resignation came a day after an announcement that elected officials in Vermilion County were being investigated for allegations of bribery and misconduct.
Vermilion County State's Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said in an official release on Wednesday that the allegations include members of the Vermilion County Board, Vermilion County elected officials, and Vermilion Advantage. The investigation into the allegations is being conducted by the Illinois State Police Investigations unit.
Marron's resignation is effective immediately as he posted on his social media and sent an email to the Commercial-News stating his reasons.
"Earlier this week, I brought forward concerns about troubling behavior and actions of elected officials in Vermilion County,'' he said. "I applaud the Vermilion County State's Attorney for taking these reports seriously and immediately moving forward with an investigation.
"As Vermilion Advantage is a subsidiary of the County, I thought it best to resign as CEO at this time while the reports against these elected officials are investigated. I am very proud of the accomplishments during my tenure, and I look forward to working at my family's farming business that has been in Vermilion County since 1867."
Vermilion Advantage Chair Gary Tucker will assume the duties at CEO and president following Marron's resignation.
A release from Vermilion Advantage states, "we sincerely appreciate Mr. Marron's contributions to the organization, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. For any questions, please contact Gary Tucker at CEO@vermilionadvantage.com"
Vermilion County board members were surprised by the allegations.
Vermilion County Board Chairman Steve Miller responded in an email to the Commercial-News on Thursday, stating, "I have never been a part of any wrongdoing, and I look forward to the official investigation."
Board member Jerry Hawker said he believes the whole situation is akin to political theater.
"Exactly, and a politically motivated situation to me," Hawker said.
Hawker said there are text messages being shown online.
"Marron's post was private conversations between him and the county treasurer (Darren Duncan)." Adding, "they were alleging that they were trying to buy votes through the appointment of the county clerk's office, which is totally untrue."
Hawker said the treasurer did look into it and found no wrongdoing.
He added that ARPA funds have never been hidden from the public.
"Most of the fire districts in the county were given ARPA monies way back a year ago under the previous administration," Hawker said. "Nobody even knew he had these conversations with Mr. Marron until Mr. Marron posted all these private conversations with a screenshot, which I think is pretty despicable. It's absolutely disgusting."
Hawker speculates it all boils down to Marron being upset about who was given the position of county clerk.
"He was mad because his candidate did not get the appointment to become county clerk," Hawker said.
Hawker said the committee votes on that appointment, and then the clerk can be voted out during an election.
"Mr. Duncan supported somebody else; that is what our elections are about," said Hawker. "I think the treasurer was talking out of frustration with a friend 100% sure he felt was a private conversation; then that conversation was betrayed by Mr. Marron."
And before the release from the Vermilion County State's Attorney's office, Hawker reiterated, "I have no knowledge of any wrongdoing on any board member."