Villa Park Official Who Decried Worker's Love Life Leaves Job

VILLA PARK, IL – A top Villa Park official left her job Friday, a couple of weeks after her comments denouncing a subordinate's love life went public.

Suzy Mika, the village's finance director, served in the role for nearly a year and a half. Before that, she worked in the same job in La Grange.

Mika's controversial comments were made during a secret audio recording taken by Trustee Khalid Sabri last December.

DuPage County prosecutors decided against charging Sabri for recording someone without that person's consent. Such a recording is against state law, but prosecutors cited an exception.

In August, Village President Kevin Patrick released the recording during an open session of the Village Board. Patch was the first news outlet to report on the comments two weeks ago.

In her conversation with Sabri, Mika bashed her subordinate, accusing her of being a "gold digger" and having affairs with co-workers.

Mika complained that the woman should have been fired long ago. But Mika said she was stopped from doing so.

She said the woman was driving a $120,000 BMW.

"She is a secretary at best. She is a vulture," Mika said. "I see red every time I see her."

In the conversation, Mika said her boss, Village Manager Michael Rivas, had been good to her, but was "wishy-washy" and "not strong" on some things.

At the time, Mika, who said she was 50, had expected a long career with Villa Park.

"I have at least 15 years," she told Sabri. "I don't plan on going anywhere. I want to retire here. I want my legacy to finish here."

Patch left messages for comment with Rivas and Patrick.

Mika couldn't be reached for comment.

Patch has filed a public records request for more details on Mika's exit.