Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s CFO, Ashlee Gabrysch, resigns, aldermen call for finance investigation

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Chief Financial Officer Ashlee Gabrysch has resigned after just three months on the job, saying she could not continue in the role without compromising her integrity, a departure that has intensified scrutiny of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration during an already contentious budget season.

Gabrysch announced her resignation in a statement that read in part: “As the City of Chicago’s Chief Financial Officer, there is nothing more important than my fiduciary duty to the City and its taxpayers. To continue in this role would be to compromise my integrity and professional obligations.”

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Gabrysch did not elaborate on what she said the mayor’s office asked her to do.

Johnson said Friday that Gabrysch’s departure would not affect ongoing budget negotiations.

“Obviously our finances are in great care with our entire financial team, and you know we will welcome, you know, any scrutiny of my administration,” Johnson said.

The mayor said he welcomes scrutiny after several aldermen called for an inspector general investigation following Gabrysch’s resignation.

Ald. Bill Conway, vice chair of the Finance Committee, said Gabrysch’s statement raises serious concerns.

“Her statement clearly implied that she was asked to provide false financial information, and that is disturbing. And heck, it might also be criminal fraud. And that’s why it’s important that the inspector general conduct an independent investigation,” Conway said.

The mayor’s office is also calling for an investigation into Gabrysch’s conduct. In a statement, the administration said: “During her short tenure, Ashlee was largely absent during critical periods of the City’s budget preparation process. Additionally, her decision to direct the City Treasurer to issue a $75 million payment without proper legal authority or following the required processes raises serious concerns.”

Gabrysch, a former Wall Street executive with years of finance experience, stands by her original statement.

“They’re trying to dirty her up because obviously they’re not happy that she’s, you know, implying and indicating that she has been asked to provide false financial information, and and that’s, you know, disturbing,” Conway said.

Johnson defended his administration’s character amid the growing controversy.

“As far as the integrity of my administration, we operate in the upper pulse form of integrity, and you know we will continue to take responsible actions to ensure that the people of Chicago have all of the supports that they need,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Finance Committee Chair Ald. Pat Dowell is calling for an independent audit of city finances and possibly a special City Council meeting. Dowell is among 28 aldermen who have already declared the mayor’s budget proposal dead on arrival.

Gabrysch is the third Johnson administration chief financial officer to leave the position within the past year, adding another challenge for the administration as it seeks support for its budget plan.

Read Gabrysch’s full statement: “Throughout my career, I have remained committed to upholding the highest standards of financial integrity and transparency, and in my short time as Chief Financial Officer, I have faithfully discharged this duty. It has become apparent, however, that to continue in this role would be to compromise my integrity and professional obligations. I therefore have concluded that I must step down from my role, and hereby tender my resignation.”

Read the mayor’s office’s full statement: “We have accepted Ashlee Gabrysh’s resignation, effective immediately. The City of Chicago is facing a serious budget crisis following decades of mismanagement. It is concerning that, during her short tenure, Ashlee was largely absent during critical periods of the City’s budget preparation process. Additionally, her decision to direct the City Treasurer to issue a $75 million payment without proper legal authority or following the required processes raises serious concerns. Our administration made multiple attempts to meet with her to discuss this action and seek an explanation, including shortly before her public resignation. Those attempts went unresolved. Given the seriousness of these concerns, we will refer the matter to the City’s Office of Inspector General for independent review. We welcome a full review of the conduct at issue. Our administration takes its responsibility to protect taxpayer dollars, uphold the law, and ensure the responsible management of City finances seriously. We expect every City official to meet that standard.”