* Press release…

The Illinois Republican Party on Thursday called on Chicago City Clerk and state Comptroller candidate Susana Mendoza to return more than $20,000 in campaign contributions that she has raked in from a former city police officer who resigned after twice being accused of brutality.

In one instance which led to a federal lawsuit, Juan Gaytan is accused of punching a motorist in the face and threatening to kill him before kicking the man’s mother in the stomach and applying fake blood to his own face to make it appear he had been attacked.[1] In the other, Gaytan was accused of beating two people with a flashlight and robbing them of $425.[2]

“Susana Mendoza should do the right thing, stand up to one of her biggest campaign contributors and return his money,” Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Nick Klitzing said. “She says that as Comptroller she’ll be independent from her self-proclaimed mentor Speaker Madigan. How can we believe that when she won’t even distance herself from sketchy campaign contributors?”

Gaytan moved on to create Monterrey Security Consultants, a politically-connected security firm that was awarded a $2.9 million contract with the City of Chicago before it was rescinded because it violated ethics ordinances.[3] Among other Chicago business, the firm received a $400,000 no bid contract providing security for Chicago Housing Authority buildings[4] and a $1.2 million subcontract tied to the city’s parking meter privatization project.[5]

Gaytan and his firm have given Mendoza $22,200 since 2011 and $18,200 in 2015 alone.

“Mendoza’s judgment may be clouded by her more than 16 years on the city of Chicago and state of Illinois payrolls – and ten years on both at the same time,” Klitzing said. “But everyone outside of government can see that it is simply wrong to set aside principle for campaign cash, and she should acknowledge that.”

You can go see the footnoted references by clicking here.

* Monterrey Security has often been said to be a “clout” company, but it recently landed a contract to handle security at Minnesota Vikings games…

SMG, the operator of U.S. Bank Stadium, along with the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority and the Minnesota Vikings, announced today that after an extensive RFP process, Monterrey Security has been selected as the official security provider of U.S. Bank Stadium.

As the trusted provider for events ranging from the NFL Draft to the NATO Conference/G8 Summit, Monterrey Security will provide services in the areas of crowd management and 24-hour security.

“Monterrey Security is an exceptionally qualified organization,” said Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. “Monterrey has experience working with stadiums, live events and family attractions. Furthermore, this major contract being held by a minority owned company keeps our equity focus on the stadium’s operations.”

Monterrey is the largest Latino-owned security firm in the Midwest and one of the fastest-growing minority-owned security companies in the country. Over two-thirds of their workforce is comprised of women or minorities from executive leadership to entry-level employees.

* Response from Monterrey Security…

Public records show that allegations made by two Chicago gang members more than 20 years ago against then-police officer Gaytan were determined to be unfounded.

The Chicago Police Merit Board conducted a full hearing into an allegation made by a gang member 22 years ago, resulting in Mr. Gaytan’s full reinstatement, with back pay. A civil suit filed by a different gang member over allegations made 21 years ago resulted in a federal judge tossing out the suit, with prejudice.

In the 17 years since Monterrey Security was founded, the company has grown to be the largest Hispanic-owned security company in the U.S. and one of the largest security firms in the Midwest. Mr. Gaytan and his leadership team have gone through extensive background checks by the U.S. Secret Service, White House Presidential Detail, N.A.T.O., four state licensing boards and five professional sports leagues, among others. Those reviews resulted in full clearance for Mr. Gaytan and his team and a rare designation as a Level One-certified security agency.

It is unfortunate that this organization did not take the time to review publicly available documents before making these statements. Mr. Gaytan has known Clerk Mendoza for many years and has always respected and supported her. He’ll continue to support her, as he does other political candidates, regardless of their party affiliation.