Former Water Dept. Official Indicted on Charges of Stealing Nearly $71,000 in Village Funds
Springfield—(ENEWSPF)—October 8, 2013. Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced yesterday that a Crainville woman will return to court October 28 for a preliminary hearing for allegedly stealing nearly $71,000 from the village.
Linda Harvill, 62, was charged last month in Williamson County Circuit Court with one count of theft over $10,000, a Class 1 felony. An audit ordered by the mayor revealed $70,726 missing from village deposits between January 2010 and June 2012 when Harvill, as water department office manager, handled billing and collections for customer water, sewer and garbage services. Additionally, Harvill was responsible for the collection of building permit fees, city ordinance violations and other general fund receipts. She worked for the village for 24 years before being placed on administrative leave in July 2012. Harvill resigned in August 2012.
“The defendant abused her position for personal gain and defrauded taxpayers,” Madigan said. “This case is another example of my office’s commitment to rooting out fraud at all levels of government in Illinois.”
In a criminal complaint filed Sept. 18, 2013, Harvill was also charged with one count of official misconduct, a class 3 felony. If convicted of these charges, Harvill faces the possibility of up to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Madigan’s office also filed a request to set bond. Williamson County Judge John Speroni said he would rule on the request after the Oct. 28th preliminary hearing. The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Assistant Attorney General David Navarro is handling the case for Madigan’s Public Integrity Unit based on a referral from the Williamson County State’s Attorney’s office.
Source: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
