East Central Reporter

Reports have emerged about inappropriate content allegedly found on the computer of Champaign County Auditor, George Danos, in 2023. A forensic analysis was conducted after a complaint was filed regarding the matter.

The findings from the forensic report indicate: "No findings by County IT were able to confirm anything of a pornographic nature being accessed on or around February 9th. However, compelling documents were found on Danos’ hard drive, which included numerous files which could be construed as pornographic, as well as some images which featured fully naked men."

This investigation was initiated by the Champaign County State’s Attorney and County Executive following a complaint about explicit images displayed on the Auditor's work computer.

On April 6, 2023, Auditor Danos reportedly agreed to address the issue promptly: "On April 6th, 2023, County Executive Steve Summers and Chief of the Civil Division for the State’s Attorney’s Office Matt Banach met with Auditor Danos. It was communicated to him what was found during the investigation, that those materials violated the County Information Technology Resources Policy and Procedures (Ordinance 652), the materials needed to be removed from his work computer, and whistleblower protections were reviewed. Auditor Danos was receptive and agreeable. He stated the materials would be removed that day and he agreed with the importance of the whistleblower protections."

An employee's complaint named Auditor Danos and described an "offensive" photo on his computer screen. Further allegations in a second complaint pointed to similar issues concerning his conduct.

Efforts to obtain comments from Auditor Danos via email have not been successful as of this publication.