Comments on: County Treasurer Loses Over $1 Million in County Funds to Nigerian Email Scam

By: SBW

SBW — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:25:27 +0000

I’ve read articles about Mr. Katona and they’ve never indicated that he used county funds to try to recover his own. In fact, dates listed indicate just the opposite. Yes, this man had very poor judgement, but so many articles, like this one, try to paint him out to be so much worse than he probably is.

By: J. Wellington Wells

J. Wellington Wells — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:33:47 +0000

Adam,
Living in Cook County your cynicism is quite justified, and I offer you my sincere and honest sympathy. On re-reading the story as presented here I see that Mr. Katona is an elected official of some 13 years standing, as well, as you point out, a politically well connected “good old boy” so i would think with thirteen years experience in the office he should have picked up a little knowledge of scams and scammers. Sadly it seems he did not and now will pay a stiff price for his naivete.
With regards,
JWW

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:33:16 +0000

Nothing in the article to indicate whether the county treasurer’s position is an appointed position or elected office. It’s often the case that the office holder is not truly a financial professional but rather a politically connected county resident. Forgive my cynicism; perhaps it’s all the years of living in Cook County, IL (long live Mayor Daley).

By: J. Wellington Wells

J. Wellington Wells — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:12:32 +0000

I am amazed that an experienced county treasurer, a financial officer, could be suckered in this sort of scam when a simple fellow such as myself has no trouble seeing it for what it is, and avoiding it. It’s sad when greed overcomes common sense.
JWW