An internal investigation conducted by Sergio Acosta, co-chair of the White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice, and Lauren Goddard, litigation special counsel, examined the conduct of former Westchester Village Manager Paul Nosek. Their 2022 report, commissioned by the Village, detailed Nosek’s approval of municipal contracts awarded to a friend’s companies, potential mismanagement of a municipal office relocation project, and instances where he allegedly withheld or misrepresented information to the elected board. The probe also highlighted questionable spending, including nearly $2,700 in taxpayer funds for 2,000 stress balls—half of which bore the name of Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch—raising concerns about improper political activity. Although investigators found no evidence of criminal collusion in bid processes or intent to influence Welch, they concluded that Nosek circumvented procurement rules and allowed contractors with personal ties to receive village business. Their findings were shared by the Village of Westchester with the Illinois State Police, whose related criminal investigation resulted only in charges against another village official.

The investigation was reported by the Chicago Sun Times.