Champaign County, Ill. (ECWd) –

Reports we received today indicate the Champaign County Auditor was found to have inappropriate image(s) on his office computer in 2023.

A forensic analysis was completed on George Danos’ computer after a complaint was received, here are the findings:

“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.”

The above statement was taken directly from a forensics report which was initiated by the Champaign County State’s Attorney and County Executive after a complaint was received of pornographic images showing on the Auditor’s work computer.

On April 6, 2023, Auditor Danos agreed to remove the offending images within one day:

“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.”

According to a complaint filed by an employee naming Auditor Danos, an “offensive” photo was on his computer screen. Additionally, according to the complaint were the following allegations:

• Danos mentioned that his cat still “nurses his nipples” and gesturing to his own chest
• Danos used his county office and time to hand-write thank you notes and label envelopes for a fund-raising campaign
• Danos was working late with a coworker and removed his shoes, and his shirt down to his tank top and sat in front of a fan while the coworker was present
• Attempts by Danos to get reimbursed for travel in excess of what was authorized by the county
• Other general complaints of incompetence and disregard for his office

A second complaint lists allegations of similar incompetence by Danos.

We reached out via email to Auditor Danos for comment on these issues but have received no response as of publication.