Thursday, August 31, 2023

What happened to the last Boone County employee indicted for theft?

CRIME

Former Boone County employee sentenced to 5 years in prison for stealing money

Ben Stanley Rockford Register Star

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The Boone County Court House on April 16, 2015. BEN STANLEY/RRSTAR.COM

BELVIDERE — Former Boone County employee Donna Osoria was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday for stealing more than $24,000 in bond money while working in the circuit clerk's office.

Osoria, 58, pleaded guilty to felony theft on Dec. 4, 2014.

On Thursday, Boone County Circuit Clerk Linda Anderson testified that between March 15, 2010 and June 22, 2012, Osoria engaged in a cash lapping scheme with bond money paid to the circuit clerk's office for various unrelated felonies and misdemeanors. 

Osoria stole bonds paid on active cases and covered her tracks by transferring bonds paid on old and unrelated cases. She claimed she stole the money to help her mother pay rent.

"She just needed my help and if she hadn't needed my help I wouldn't be here right now," Osoria said. "I'm not a bad person I just made a really, really, really, really bad mistake. And in turn that mistake cost me just about everything that mattered to me."

However, Osoria's mother died in 2011 and thefts continued well into 2012. Judge Robert Tobin called Osoria's systematic approach to stealing bond money and covering her tracks a "true act of a criminal mind"

"A mistake is different than an ongoing theft, and this is behavior that went on for 27 months," said Special Prosecutor Chuck Colburn. "That goes beyond a mistake. This is a criminal enterprise that went on and on and on."

Ben Stanley:

Above is fromhttps://www.rrstar.com/story/news/crime/2015/04/16/former-boone-county-employee-sentenced/34754602007/

Boone County Clerk arrested on theft of public funds

Boone County Clerk Julie Bliss faces theft, misconduct charges

https://www.wifr.com/2023/08/31/boone-county-clerk-julie-bliss-faces-theft-misconduct-charges/

Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss, 53, was arrested on August 31, 2023.(23 WIFR)

By Meghan Schobinger

Published: Aug. 31, 2023 at 4:49 PM CDT|Updated: 2 hours ago

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BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss, 53, was arrested Thursday following an investigation by Illinois State Police.

Bliss is charged with theft of government property and official misconduct.

The charges come after a months-long investigation.

According to a news release from Boone County, an employee in the clerk’s office reported “irregularities” in two of the office’s bank accounts. The release says the information was presented to leaders in April.

Boone County officials called the Illinois State Police and contracted accounting firm Silkich, LLP, to assist in the investigation.

In a statement to the media, the county said “the misuse of public funds is an abuse of power and a violation of the public trust that will not be tolerated. The Boone County Board and Boone County Administration are fully committed to cooperating with the Illinois State Police and with Sikich, LLP, in order to provide the public with a full, accurate, and transparent accounting of the outcome of this investigation, and to restore the public’s trust in our County officials.”

If convicted, Bliss could face more than 10 years in prison, however county leaders say both charges could also carry sentences of probation only.

This story is developing and will be updated as information is confirmed.

Copyright 2023 WIFR. All rights reserved

Above is from:  https://www.wifr.com/2023/08/31/boone-county-clerk-julie-bliss-faces-theft-misconduct-charges/


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Boone County Clerk and Recorder Arrested on theft of government property


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In April of 2023, an employee of the Boone County Clerk’s Office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.

BELVIDERE — Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss was arrested on Thursday according to a press release from Boone County Board Chairman Rodney Riley.

The release states Bliss, 53, of Belvidere, was arrested on one count of Theft of Government Property, a class 2 felony, and one count of Official Misconduct, a class 3 felony.

In April of 2023, an employee of the Boone County Clerk’s Office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.

Upon receiving that report, Boone County officials immediately notified the Illinois State Police, and took appropriate steps to ensure fiscal oversight of the Clerk’s office during the course of the investigation.

Additionally, the County contracted with Sikich, LLP, an accounting firm, to assist the Illinois State Police in the investigation, and to make recommendations with respect to ensuring the future fiscal integrity of the Boone County Clerk’s Office.

The release also states that The Boone County Board and Boone County Administration are fully committed to cooperating with the Illinois State Police and with Sikich, LLP, in order to provide the public with a full, accurate, and transparent accounting of the outcome of this investigation, and to restore the public’s trust in their County officials.

A class 2 felony is punishable by 3 to 7 years in the Department of Corrections.

A class 3 felony is punishable by 2 to 5 years in the Department of Corrections.

Although the maximum penalty for each charge is a prison sentence, both charges are also eligible for probation pursuant to Illinois statute.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

Above is from:  https://www.wrex.com/news/boone-county-clerk-and-recorder-arrested-on-theft-of-government-property/article_9c0d3274-4845-11ee-a248-d3ae7adc5799.html