Chicago’s political landscape is buzzing with controversy following the release of a detailed report by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg.
The report uncovers an alleged secret collection of luxury gifts, including jewelry, whiskey, and high-end accessories, reportedly stashed away by Mayor Brandon Johnson in a City Hall “Gift Room.” This revelation raises serious questions about transparency and ethics within the mayor’s office.
The report reveals a systematic effort by Mayor Johnson and his administration to block investigators from accessing this cache, allegedly flouting city laws designed to uphold ethical governance. It was an undercover operation by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) last June that led to the discovery of this hidden treasure trove.
Initially, the investigators were denied access to the mayoral gift log, prompting them to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request—a request that the Mayor’s office reportedly stonewalled.
The breakthrough came only after a formal document request compelled the Mayor’s Office to reluctantly disclose the “Gift Room’s” existence. According to the report, on July 9, 2024, OIG—acting undercover as a civilian—filed a FOIA request with the Mayor’s Office.
This request sought records showing all disclosures by Mayor Johnson or former Mayor Lori Lightfoot from February 1, 2022, to March 31, 2024. The focus was on travel expenses, gifts received on behalf of the City, and hospitality costs related to official City business.
When the OIG submitted a similar request to the City Comptroller, they were informed that there were no records matching their inquiry. The Mayor’s Office’s delayed response to the OIG’s FOIA request, by law, constituted a denial.
It wasn’t until August 14, 2024—over a month later—that OIG received a spreadsheet detailing gifts accepted on behalf of the City. Although the log included some information about the gifts, it was incomplete and lacked details on travel-related expenses.
Of the 380 gifts recorded, many were marked as being stored in the “Gift Room.” Items in this secret room reportedly include *”Hugo Boss cuff links,”* a *”Personalized Mont Blanc pen,”* and a *”2023 U.S. National Soccer Team Jersey.”* Other luxury items like *”Gucci Tote bag and crossbody bag,”* and a *”Givenchy Bag, Kate Spade Red Purse, Carrucci Size 14 Burgundy Men’s Shoes,”* were also listed.
Such concealment goes beyond mere physical access denial; the Mayor’s Office, backed by the City’s Department of Law (DOL), consistently obstructed the OIG from conducting an unannounced inspection of the Gift Room.
This defiance starkly violates the Municipal Code of Chicago, which mandates full cooperation with OIG inquiries. The unwritten arrangement, dating back to 1989, permits city mayors to avoid reporting gifts to the Board of Ethics, opting instead for a public logbook on City Hall’s fifth floor.
However, in June, an inspector posing as a public member was denied access to this log and instructed to file a public records request. The response, delayed by more than a month, was an incomplete spreadsheet.
The situation escalated in November when city inspectors revisited City Hall’s fifth floor. They attempted to access the gift room but were stopped by Chicago police officers and instructed to wait in the elevator lobby.
During this time, *”multiple senior members of the Mayor’s Office”* held discussions with the inspector general’s office regarding the request. Ultimately, the inspectors were denied access that day and were told to make an appointment instead.
The Department of Law later communicated that the Inspector General’s office would not be granted access to the gift room, as per the report. These actions have intensified scrutiny on Mayor Johnson’s administration and have sparked a heated debate about the ethics of gift reporting and transparency in local government. As the story unfolds, the public awaits further developments with keen interest.
