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11 Current, Former Ford Heights Employees Charged in Scheme to Illegally Use Municipal Funds: AG
Prosecutors say the 11 defendants used village money for airfare, hotels and casino trips, and filed 79 felony counts in the case.
- On Friday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced felony charges against 11 current and former Ford Heights officials, alleging they illegally misused approximately $107,000 in village funds for personal vacations and casino trips.
- State investigators and the Cook County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant Thursday at Ford Heights Municipal Hall, gathering evidence that led Raoul to file 79 felony counts, including theft of governmental property and official misconduct.
- Taxpayer money paid for airfare, hotel accommodations, and "exorbitant spending excursions" in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Michigan City, Indiana, Raoul alleged, detailing how officials misused public funds.
- Scheduled for arraignment September 30, defendants include former Mayor Annie Coulter and current village trustee Johnny Griffin. Sheriff Tom Dart said the alleged abuse is "an affront to the people of Ford Heights."
- This case follows the embezzlement conviction of former Mayor Charles Griffin two years ago, compounding corruption concerns in the village of nearly 2,000 residents and prompting frustration over repeated financial misconduct.
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Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-mayor, trustees among 11 charged in Ford Heights sting - Regional Media News
(The Center Square) - A former mayor and elected officials from Ford Heights are among 11 people charged in connection with a scheme to illegally use municipal funds on personal vacations at casinos. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed 79 felony counts, including theft of [...]
11 current, former elected officials charged after Ford Heights raid – WGNTV (Chicago)
According to Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office, the 11 are accused of a scheme to illegally use municipal funds to pay for airfare, hotel accommodations and exorbitant spending excursions while on personal vacations at casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada and Michigan City, Indiana. One of the former officials charged was Annie Coulter, who served as mayor from 2017-2021.
·Wilmette, United States
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left0Leaning Right3Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
C 67%
R 33%
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