Brian Nagra Probe Leads To City Hall Subpoenas: Sheridan

JOLIET, IL —At Tuesday night's meeting, Joliet resident John Sheridan revealed that subpoenas have been issued by the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office seeking the Joliet City Council's executive session tapes concerning discussions about Joliet Police Officer Brian Nagra.

Joliet Patch has previously reported the city of Joliet discovered Nagra was falsifying his payroll records in the summer of 2018. Yet, Nagra remained on the city of Joliet payroll, either on active duty as a uniformed police officer or on paid administrative leave appealing his recommended firing, for an entire year.

Then, this July 5, Nagra submitted his notice of retirement. Two weeks later, Nagra was charged with two counts of theft and three counts of misconduct in public office relating to his employment at the Joliet Police Department.

The five criminal charges were filed in Kendall County.

"It's my understanding the State's Attorney of Kendall County has subpoenaed executive session tapes concerning Brian Nagra," Sheridan proclaimed at Tuesday night's council meeting during the public comments section of the meeting.

"It's alleged that you, Mr. Mayor, and (Inspector General) Chris Regis made a statement in closed session that a deal was cut to ensure Brian gets his seniority date and will pay back money. Final outcome? He got both with an additional $100,000-plus in salary."

By the time criminal charges were filed in Kendall County, Nagra had retired; he had reached his 20-year anniversary with the city of Joliet, making Nagra eligible to get his Joliet Police pension.

Sheridan told Patch on Wednesday that it's no secret around the city of Joliet that Nagra and O'Dekirk were good friends, and Nagra had worked on the mayor's election campaign.

"In addition," Sheridan remarked at Tuesday's meeting, "Mr. Regis had attended or represented you during the current investigation, so definitely, it's a conflict of interest. We've basically put the fox in charge of the hen house."

On Wednesday night, Patch asked Sheridan to clarify his statement when he referenced the current investigation, but Sheridan declined to comment.

A retired official at Joliet's now-shuttered Caterpillar factory, Sheridan is the Cunningham Neighborhood Council President.

In any event, Sheridan suggested the council bring in the Illinois Attorney General's Office to probe the latest scandal at City Hall.

The most recent firestorm involves O'Dekirk and Joliet Police Sgt. Lindsey Heavener, a 29-year police officer. He and O'Dekirk previously worked together on the Joliet Police force before the mayor left the city to become an attorney.

In June, Heavener made a series of phone calls to the city council, urging them to oust Marty Shanahan as the interim city manager, Joliet Patch has previously reported.

The Mudron 5 subsequently followed Heavener's advice and ousted Shanahan, to the satisfaction of Heavener and some members of the Joliet Police Supervisors Association, most notably Sergeants Patrick Cardwell, Larry Collins, Dave Harris and Tom Grutzius.

Then on Saturday, Sept. 14, Joliet's mayor, on multiple occasions, accused Heavener of being intoxicated and hanging out at the tequila bar tent while being on duty at the city's huge Fiesta en La Calle in downtown Joliet, an annual city event that drew more than 7,000 people.

At the end of the night, Heavener and Chief Al Roechner went to a local hospital. However, Heavener chose not to undergo a Breathalizer; instead, according to Sgt. Cardwell, Heavener was given a blood test and urine screen.

Cardwell said both came back negative.

"To Chief Roechner, I thank you for doing what is right and not giving in to these intimidation tactics from the town bullies," Sheridan said at Tuesday's meeting. "I support you 100 percent until proven otherwise."

Sheridan ended his comments by saying "the defamation of character to a 29-year police officer is serious. In the event that these latest allegations turn out to be true, and due process was followed, I would suggest that those involved step down from their current positions. Thank you."

Joliet Patch previously conducted a written question and answer interview with Mayor O'Dekirk regarding the Nagra controversy. Here it is in case you missed it or want a refresher.