Ex-Cook County commissioner accuses Treasurer Maria Pappas of intimidation in complaint over texts
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin has filed a complaint with the Cook County inspector general accusing Treasurer Maria Pappas of intimidation and official misconduct following a dispute over a letter related to the Chicago mayoral race.
The conflict marks a public break between the two political allies. In January, Pappas endorsed Boykin's unsuccessful bid for Congress and referred to him as a friend.
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The dispute began after Pappas sent Boykin a series of text messages over the weekend in response to a letter Boykin wrote earlier this month on behalf of mayoral candidate Willie Wilson. The letter criticized Pappas and several other public officials for seeking re-election to their current offices while also pursuing a mayoral campaign. While Pappas has not formally launched a mayoral campaign, she has indicated she plans to run.
Among the messages sent by Pappas were:
"Why a (expletive) turn coat after all I did for you u piece of (expletive). Pappas I am not a declared candidate (expletive) what a user u are."
And:
"You have no character maybe it's how u were raised boy how stupid am I to have bet on you this ain't over Richard."
Boykin said one of the messages threatened him if he did not withdraw the letter.
"She says if you don't withdraw the press release you sent out with Willie Wilson, I'm going to take you down. I'm going to take him down," Boykin said.
He said he filed the complaint after seeking a public apology.
"I ask one thing of this lady. A public apology. She didn't do it. And so guess what, I have to protect myself," Boykin said.
Boykin contends the messages constitute intimidation.
In a statement, Pappas defended both the language and intent of the texts, citing the pair's long political relationship.
"I stand by the salty language I used because that's how friends speak to one another when there's a disagreement," Pappas said.
Pappas also rejected Boykin's contention that her use of the word "boy" was racist.
"That's a lie, because I used the word as an exclamation saying 'boy, how stupid am I to have bet on you,'" Pappas said.
Boykin disputed Pappas' characterization of the messages.
"My friends don't talk to me that way. My friends don't treat me like that," he said.
In her statement, Pappas said she has spoken with Wilson about the letter and looks forward to meeting with him later this week. At a separate event, Wilson declined to acknowledge their conversation or comment on the dispute that followed.
