Calumet Township Investigating Salgado Drowning at `Wild Blue Is - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

Calumet Township said they plan a "thorough and independent" investigation into the behavior of township employees who attended an after-hours pool party where township trustee Carlos Salgado drowned.

"This investigation will be conducted by an independent agency," township Supervisor Rose Rita said at Thursday's township board meeting.

She did not say when the investigation would begin or who would conduct it. The township, the Blue Island Park District and the city of Blue Island will not be involved, she said.

Rita would not say whether any township employees or officials should resign as a result of the June 26 party at Memorial Pool in Blue Island.

"I don't know yet. I can't answer what I don't know," she said.

Rita's son, state Rep. Bob Rita, attended the meeting but would not comment on the pending investigation. No other township officials commented on Salgado's death or the investigation.

Township Trustee Carlos Salgado, 26, was found drowned at the bottom of Memorial Park pool later on the morning of June 26, after the late-night party for select township and park district officials and their guests, including park district board president Fred Bilotto.

Bilotto, who is also Calumet Township clerk, would not comment on the investigation.

"I mourn his loss," Bilotto said after Thursday night's meeting. "Carlos was a very good friend of mine. I've known him since grade school."

Rita offered her condolences at the start of the meeting.

"I know that we are all deeply saddened at the tragic loss of our friend and colleague Carlos Salgado," she read from a prepared statement. "We all knew him to be an honorable young man with a big heart and a great commitment to public service, and I know we will miss him greatly. I understand firsthand the pain of suddenly losing a son since me and my family just went through the same tragedy with the fatal drowning of my son Rich."

Salgado's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bilotto, who allowed the pool area to be opened for the party, the park district and the city.

Attorney Mustafa Kamal, who is representing the Salgado family in their suit, said the decision to launch an investigation is a good start.

"I believe it's a good first step," he said after the meeting. "Hopefully, some more facts will be revealed."

His law firm is conducting its own investigation into Salgado's death, Kamal said.

A Blue Island police report released on Monday offers details on the raucous party attended by park district and township officials and employees and says there was no foul play in Salgado's death. Apparently no one noticed that Salgado was missing or that his body was in the deep end of the pool, according to the report.

It says people at the party, among other things, played basketball in the pool, and some were drinking. Salgado, who could not swim, entered the pool to play basketball, the report says.

As the night progressed, one woman, who works for Calumet Township, removed all her clothes and was encouraging others to do the same, and at least two other women in the pool were topless, according to the report.