Ismael “Izzy” Bonilla, airport director at General Mitchell International (MKE), has been fired from his position amid allegations of misconduct, according to a statement from Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele. The airport is owned and operated by Milwaukee County.
The alleged misconduct involves the integrity of the procurement process, the statement says.
A fraud investigation from the county’s Audit Services Division focused on “several” airport Requests For Proposals in 2016 and 2017. A report summarizing the investigation said it focused in particular on a RFP and subsequent professional services contract for a business plan for Lawrence J. Timmerman (MWC), a general aviation airport owned by Milwaukee County. The investigation found that Bonilla and deputy director Yul McNair used privileged information “in a way which may have resulted in financial gain for former co-workers and, for Bonilla, a current business associate.”
Abele’s statement says the integrity of procurement processes is crucial. “The mere suggestion that the integrity of the procurement process was in question anywhere in County government would be a serious cause for concern,” he says in the statement. “In order to ensure confidence in the airport’s operations, I have made the decision to bring in new management. We will also implement comprehensive, formal re-training on procurement procedures at the airport.”
It was unclear at press time whether McNair remains employed at the airport.
Department of Transportation Director Brian Dranzik will serve as acting director of MKE until a replacement is appointed. ARN has reached out to Bonilla and will update the story if further information becomes available.
