Records released Tuesday by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's office show that up to 18 calls a day were made between the government cell phone of a patronage worker and the personal cell phone of Stroger's cousin, the county's former chief financial officer.

Stroger dumped both his cousin, Donna Dunnings, and Tony Cole, a former steakhouse busboy with a criminal record, amid the burgeoning scandal in April. Stroger at the time said only that he feared Cole, who worked briefly as Dunnings' personal assistant, would make "explosive" allegations about her.

The county phone records suggest regular communication between Cole and Dunnings, both of whom have denied a personal relationship. The hundreds of calls documented include a 46-minute phone call that began at 3:30 a.m. Christmas Day, as well as six phone calls on New Year's Eve and Day.

Dunnings did not return phone calls seeking comment, and an attempt to reach Cole via e-mail failed.