Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen

Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen landed in hot water last month when an investigation revealed a portable sauna purchased with taxpayer funds was kept at his home for a brief period of time.
That investigation took a new turn last week when new information revealed the FBI is looking into allegations of misappropriated expenses totaling $60,427.77. While few details have been shed on the ongoing investigation, Sally Claassen, the county’s former purchasing director, is linked to the purchases. She has since resigned from her position.

Neither Claassen nor any other county employee has been issued any criminal charges.

Christiansen, who up until recently was named as a candidate in the March 15 primary, defended his use of the sauna, valued at $4,200, which has been included in the list of purchases under scrutiny.

Since word was released in mid-January about the sauna’s presence at Christiansen’s home, he has adamantly declared his innocence. He asserted the county’s wellness committee offered he use the sauna with its infrared features on a trial basis because of a health condition.

Christiansen’s position on the Winnebago County Board is up for re-election this spring. Throughout January, he campaigned vigorously as a candidate in the upcoming primary. At the end of the month, however, he announced he was dropping out of the race, though he plans to continue serving the remainder of his existing term.

Christiansen could not be reached for comment for this article. In an open letter announcing his position to step down, he did not address the sauna controversy. He attributed the decision to a desire to spend more time with family.

“Due to the time constraints and demands of my position, I have missed far too many family gatherings and events as my children grew up, and I don’t want to do the same with my grandchildren,” Christiansen wrote in the letter.

Officials within the FBI’s Chicago office, which is handling the investigation into Winnebago County’s finances, declined to comment, other than to say the process is ongoing.

— FBI expands probe into Winnebago County expenses —