CHICAGO—The Chicago Park District suspended one of its top officials Wednesday night, after FOX Chicago News and the Better Government Association began asking questions about charges on his government credit card.
Superintendent Tim Mitchell suspended his chief of staff, Shawn Schmidt, without pay, after FOX Chicago found taxpayers picking up the tab for a lot of pricey expenses during business trips.
Schmidt was suspended based on a review of those credit card charges.
In a statement, a park district spokesperson said while Schmidt’s business travel was approved and warranted, there were a number of personal charges on his government credit card that could have been avoided.
Schmidt makes nearly $120,000 a year, and also gets a park district car.
