What’s the bank saying about all this? Spokeswoman Lisabeth Weiner insists that First Chicago’s investigation last year showed that no bank money was wagered in the pool. But Weiner admits that executives just last month refunded bank expenses for the displays and the party. Even so, that doesn’t satisfy Chicago alderman Robert Shaw, who is demanding that the bank’s executives explain their involvement in the gambling activity before the city goes ahead with a $400 million general-obligation bond issue for which First Chicago was to serve as underwriter. Meanwhile, First Chicago says employees have learned their lesson. “There has been a clear signal sent down,” says Weiner. “There … are no pools here.” First Chicago will bet the bank on it.
