Fehr Graham Senior Staff Member Caught Impersonating Hospital Staff to Harass Resident

FREEPORT, IL – July 13, 2025

In yet another disturbing example of Freeport’s toxic political and institutional culture, newly uncovered records reveal that Fehr Graham senior staff member and Freeport Public Works Director Darin Stykel engaged in harassing and deceptive behavior against a local resident after fears that a family scandal might come to light.

On June 11, 2025, an office manager at a nearby insurance agency received a suspicious call. The caller ID showed (815) 235-7643, a number registered to Fehr Graham, one of the Midwest’s largest engineering firms and the City of Freeport’s primary contractor for infrastructure design, water safety, and public works oversight. The caller identified himself as Darin Stykel, claiming he was conducting an employment reference check on Joshua T. Atkinson, a former employee of the insurance agency.

But according to the office manager, the entire call felt off from the start:

  • Stykel did not know the manager’s name – something typically listed on an applicant’s references.

  • He immediately launched into probing questions not only about Atkinson’s work performance, but about his political views, including asking if Atkinson was “divisive”.

Suspicious Timing and Motive

This call took place less than 24 hours after Atkinson received a FOIA response from the City of Freeport, that was seeking records about Scott Stykel, Darin’s brother and Freeport’s Deputy Fire Chief. The FOIA requested documentation of the notorious 1999 lawsuit in which Scott Stykel and others sued the City for civil rights violations after allegedly being caught cheating on firefighter exams – scoring a documented ZERO.

Despite the lawsuit being public record (Docket No. 2-99-1446), the City denied Atkinson’s FOIA on June 10, claiming these records had been destroyed, with the exception of “closed session” minutes, still classified over 20 years later. By June 11, Darin Stykel was placing intimidation calls to Atkinson’s former employer.

Atkinson Demands Accountability

In response, Atkinson issued a formal letter to:

  • Mark Gridley, President of FHN

  • Kyle Saunders, President of Fehr Graham

  • Aaron Szeto, Freeport City Attorney

Atkinson’s letter made three simple requests:

  1. An explanation of whether Stykel acted under instruction or in any official capacity.

  2. A formal apology for the harassment and misrepresentation.

  3. An assurance that this type of behavior against residents would not continue or be tolerated.

Despite these reasonable and direct requests, both the City and Fehr Graham have failed to do the bare minimum to address the situation.

Fehr Graham’s Silent Response

Fehr Graham President Kyle Saunders responded on June 24:

“We take all concerns seriously and will review internally.”

Since that brief reply, Saunders has remained silent. No explanation. No apology. No assurance to the public that residents will be protected from harassment by Fehr Graham leadership.

FHN Confirms Stykel Impersonation

FHN President Mark Gridley swiftly confirmed on June 25 that:

  • No employment reference was initiated by FHN.

  • They use an external background check service (JDP) and had no record of any inquiry into Atkinson.

City Attorney Confirms the Incident

It’s been confirmed that the Freeport City Attorney, Aaron Szeto, reached out directly to Atkinson’s former employer to investigate. The insurance agency confirmed the incident occurred exactly as presented. Yet the City’s final position was that:

  • Stykel was “not acting in any official City capacity or under City instruction.”

  • The City deflected all accountability to Fehr Graham, despite Stykel serving as Freeport’s Public Works Director.

Rewarded With A “Rainbow Tour”?

Over the past two weeks, while residents, a business and a hospital waited for answers, Mr. Stykel has been paraded around town on a ‘rainbow tour’ – appearing in interview after interview on local radio. Many now ask:

Is this media blitz an attempt to distract from his unethical behavior and salvage public trust before the truth spreads further?

The Bottom Line

Fehr Graham continues to employ a man who:

  • Impersonated a hospital official to harass a resident.

  • Used his real name and number, leaving a voicemail easily traceable back to him.

  • Engaged in intimidation tactics against a citizen simply requesting public records.

  • Should not be trusted.

For many, it raises urgent questions:

✅ Can we trust Fehr Graham with our water systems and public safety and infrastructure?
✅ Why is the City still contracting with a firm whose senior staff engage in these tactics?
✅ How deep does this culture of intimidation go?

✅ Did Mayor Miller know? Or worse, direct the call?

Call To Action

It is time for residents across Freeport and all cities doing business with Fehr Graham to demand better.

📞 Contact your local representatives and city councils today. Tell them to end contracts with companies that bite the hands that feed them – the taxpayers.

Residents deserve contractors and public servants who operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability – not intimidation and fear.

—Brought to you and Paid for by Fighting4Freeport