The company being paid to overhaul Cook County’s property tax and court systems accused County Treasurer Maria Pappas of berating staff members and using foul language against them during the upgrade process.
Pappas, who is planning to run for Chicago mayor in 2027, doesn’t deny that accusation, but she said she is fed up with the company.
Cook County paid nearly $87 million for Tyler Technologies to upgrade its property tax and court systems. The initial contract shows the tax system overhaul was supposed to be done by 2020.
There have been multiple extensions, and it still isn’t finished. As a result, the county mailed out property tax bills four months late last year.
Pappas also said she can’t process checks for 81,000 people owed money by the county for overpaying their taxes. The overpayments total about $182 million.
“A guy says to me, ‘you pay the county employees their checks, why won’t you give me mine?’ How would you answer that if you’re Maria Pappas? You would sit here and say nothing, or would you call Tyler (Technologies) and ream them out the way I did?” Pappas told NBC 5 Chicago in an interview.
NBC 5 Chicago obtained a nine-page letter sent to Pappas Monday by H. Lynn Moore, Jr., president and CEO of Tyler Technologies. Moore alleged Pappas used “threats, vulgarities, slurs, sexist comments” and also asked a staff member, “Can you speak English? Learn to speak English. I’m going to ruin you.”
The company also alleged Pappas used multiple expletives when speaking to Tyler Technologies staff members, including saying “I’ll make sure he never gets another (expletive) contract in the world ever again” and calling a staff member an “(expletive) idiot, and a liar.”
“They’re more than six years late. I’m supposed to sit here like this and act like a nun in a Greek monastery and not say anything? I don’t think so,” Pappas said in response.
“So, you’re not denying that you said the things they said you said?” NBC 5 Chicago asked.
“No, I’m a hot-head,” Pappas said. “I’m not happy with the company that’s seven years late. Okay? I’m not happy with a company that can’t help me get out $181 million to all the people in Cook County. And you want me to sit here and not use any bad language? Really? Really? That’s not Maria Pappas. Maria Pappas is a fighter.”
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s office told NBC 5 Chicago in a statement:
“The alleged language and conduct directed at Tyler Technologies by the Treasurer are troubling and unacceptable. Public officials are expected to lead with integrity, demonstrate respect, and uphold the highest ethical standards, fostering public confidence in government.”
Preckwinkle’s office also said the matter will be formally referred to the Department of Ethics and Human Rights “for a thorough review and any investigation deemed necessary.”
“Our priority remains clear: We are committed to ensuring the delivery of a property tax system that is accurate, reliable, and worthy of the public’s trust,” Preckwinkle’s office said.
Moore also claimed Pappas didn’t want the project to happen, writing:
“You have berated and bullied my earnest and hard-working team members without repercussion or reproach, and you have tried to sabotage this project, for the last time.”
Pappas said in response:
“I’ve never tried to sabotage it. Why would I sabotage a project when my job is to get out bills, to collect money, to distribute money, and to send out $181 million worth of checks?”
NBC 5 Chicago requested an interview Tuesday with Tyler Technologies but did not receive a response.
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