(Editor's note: This story has been updated).
EDWARDSVILLE – Former Madison County information technology director Rob Dorman argues that video evidence he has obtained shows that police signed inaccurate affidavits to obtain search warrants.
Those search warrants led to a public corruption investigation, which when concluded by the state attorney general’s office late last year, resulted in no charges. Information revealed from the investigation, however, did lead to the firing of Dorman and county administrator Doug Hulme in April.
On July 17, Dorman’s lawyer Edward Moorman of Alton sought an order declaring the warrants void.
Moorman argues that the affidavits allege that Dorman tried to swipe documents from Lisa Ciampoli and from a clerk's hands at the Madison County Clerk's office on Dec. 4, 2017. At the time, Ciampoli was submitting nomination paperwork for precinct committee person.
Ciampoli is a Republican candidate for state representative in the 112th District and will face Democrat Rep. Katie Stuart in November.
An affidavit signed by Det. Brian Koberna on Jan. 25, 2018 does not allege that the Dorman swiped documents from Ciampoli. It states, "During her encounter with Dorman, Dorman tried to swipe the paperwork out of the clerk's hands."
An affidavit signed by Det. Jeffrey Donahey on Jan. 25, 2018, states that during Ciampoli's encounter with Dorman, "Dorman tried to swipe the paperwork out of her hands. This information was corroborated by video surveillance footage from Madison County cameras. In addition, she was suspicious about how Dorman knew she was filing the paperrwork at that time and believed he was monitoring her whereabouts on Madison County cameras during working hours within the administration building."
The investigation of Dorman and Hulme was based on allegations of spying on internal county emails and attempted data breach, among other things.
The video obtained through the Freedom of Information Act does not show Dorman taking documents from a clerk. Moorman wrote that the video in fact demonstrated to the contrary.
“Search warrant affidavits swearing that a video of the incident confirmed Ciampoli’s allegations were filed by two different agencies of the Madison County public corruption task force,” Moorman wrote.
Moorman challenged the warrants in a motion to substitute Circuit Judge Christopher Threlkeld and assign a judge from another county.
“In view of the fact that Madison County police officers and past and current Madison County government officials are expected to appear on both sides of the case, an out of county judge would assist the administration of justice,” he wrote.
Moorman sued the board to restore Dorman and Hulme to their positions.
Video of the incident shows Dorman and Ciampoli exchanging words.
Dorman said in their conversation he told the clerk "she has two pages of signatures huh?...And Lisa Ciampoli who I had not seen because she was at the far end of the counter answered for the clerk saying 'yeah, I figured your father would object. I told her I imagine he will.
"After my father (who passed away Tuesday morning) objected she called me to complain and I told her, 'I don't have a dog in this fight,' and she said 'well I do and it's not a pretty one and you are not going to like what's going to happen to you.'"
Dorman said the encounter was documented in a complaint he submitted to county board member Jamie Goggin.
Ciampoli responded through her campaign spokesperson.
"This conversation did not happen as Rob Dorman described. Lisa did not ever threaten Rob Dorman, even as he tried to intimidate her into not filing her precinct committeeman paperwork.
“Lisa Ciampoli confronts and rejects corruption in both parties. Whether it’s standing up to Rob Dorman or Mike Madigan, residents of the 112th district need to know they can trust their state representative to act in their interest, and never in self-interest.”