The Illinois Attorney General has announced charges against 11 current or former elected officials and employees in the suburban village of Ford Heights.
The attorney general’s office told NBC Chicago approximately $107,000 was allegedly stolen from taxpayers.
Some residents are angry after learning about the charges, but said they’re not surprised given that this isn’t the first time that someone has been accused of stealing funds from the village.
“I’m appalled,” said resident D. Nicole Conway. “It’s really disheartening for the people.”
The charges come one day after state investigators, along with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, raided the village’s municipal building.
“It’s just wrongdoing people,” said another resident. “This isn’t the first time, it won’t be the last time.”
The attorney general filed 79 felony counts in connection with the case, including theft and official misconduct. Former Mayor Annie Coulter is among those charged.
The list also includes the current village Clerk Nyree Ford, and two current village trustees, Johnny Griffin and James Morgan.
“Certain people have been put in office with ulterior motives, and it hasn’t been for the good of the people,” said Conway.
The attorney general said they’re accused of illegally using village funds to pay for airfare and hotel accommodations and lavish spending while on personal vacations at casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada and Michigan City, Indiana.
“The money is supposed to go for the betterment of the community not for personal gain in your pockets,” she said. “The buck stops here.”
Attorney General Kwame Raoul in a release said, “Elected officials and civil servants are rightfully held to a higher standard, making it egregious when someone in power intentionally steals from the taxpayers they are supposed to be serving.”
Former Mayor Charles Griffin was convicted of embezzlement two years ago. Investigators said he took more than $10,000 from the village.
The defendants in the latest case will be arraigned next Wednesday.
Hence then, the article about 11 current former ford heights elected officials charged with theft was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 11 current, former Ford Heights elected officials charged with theft )
Also on site :
- NYFF Turns Up The Heat As ‘Godzilla’, ‘Artificial’, ‘NAZA’, ‘You Can See Everything’ Spark Festival Buzz
- Psychologist Says People Who Like To Read Every Day Don’t Just ‘Want To Escape’—They Actually Often Share These 5 Unique Qualities
- The Oligarch Part 4: This man made billions in Ukraine, befriended Soros – and bought a place at the West’s table