Chicago Ethics Official Faces Termination Recommendation
The city inspector general recommends firing a former Board of Ethics deputy director following a DUI conviction.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Corruption
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Chicago inspector general has recommended that the city place former Board of Ethics deputy director Lauren Maniatis on a do-not-hire list. This action follows reports that Maniatis drove under the influence and engaged in physical misconduct.
Why it matters
The recommendation highlights ongoing internal scrutiny within the Chicago Board of Ethics as it undergoes significant leadership transitions. Officials are investigating broader conduct issues involving the consumption of alcohol on city premises.
Lauren Maniatis pled guilty to a DUI charge in February 2026, resulting in two years of court supervision and $1,508 in fines. The inspector general is currently seeking to bar the former $126,396-a-year employee from all future city employment.
The players
Lauren Maniatis
She is the former deputy director of the Chicago Board of Ethics who faced criminal charges related to a driving incident.
Brandon Johnson
He is the Mayor of Chicago who is responsible for appointing new leadership to the city's ethics board.
Steve Berlin
He is the former executive director who served the Chicago Board of Ethics for 18 years before retiring in August 2026.
Allen Thomas
He is the current acting director of the Chicago Board of Ethics appointed in October 2026.
William Conlon
He is a former chair of the Chicago Board of Ethics who departed the agency in July 2025.
The details
The inspector general concluded that Maniatis, who was arrested in December 2025 following three collisions and a battery incident in Jefferson Park, repeatedly brought alcohol onto Board of Ethics property. Maniatis is no longer employed by the board as the agency works to replace key personnel.
Timeline
December 29, 2025: Lauren Maniatis was arrested for driving under the influence in the Far Northwest Side.
February 2026: Maniatis entered a guilty plea for the DUI charge.
July 2025: Former Board of Ethics chair William Conlon stepped down from his position.
August 2026: Executive Director Steve Berlin concluded his 18-year tenure with the board.
October 12, 2026: Allen Thomas assumed the role of acting director for the board.
Legal Context
The inspector general's move to blacklist a former official reflects Chicago's broader efforts to uphold stringent professional standards for public servants. This enforcement action aligns with the city's strict adherence to the Chicago Board of Ethics' conduct and internal hiring policy for public employees.
The inspector general's request to bar Maniatis from city employment serves as a public notification regarding the enforcement of professional standards for those managing ethics oversight. Residents can monitor future Board of Ethics proceedings as the city continues to rotate leadership following recent departures.
The takeaway
Public agencies are increasingly prioritizing the clean-up of internal conduct to restore confidence in oversight bodies. Following a series of high-level resignations, the board is navigating a transitional period that emphasizes stricter adherence to city employment policies.
Further reading
For more information on oversight, visit the Chicago Corruption news section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTTW News.
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