JEFFERSON CO., Ill. - Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced charges against a former Illinois woman for embezzling more than $100,000 from a Jefferson County School District.
Madigan charged Sabrina Wheatley, 55, who was a school administrator for the Webber Township School District in Bluford, Ill., with theft of government property in excess of $100,000, official misconduct and filing fraudulent tax returns. Madigan alleged that on two or more occasions, Wheatley illegally accessed the district’s account for the purposes of stealing more than $100,000.
“This defendant took money from the Webber Township School District that should have funded children’s educations,” Madigan said.
Wheatley was arrested in Florida on Sunday, and Madigan’s office is seeking her extradition to Illinois to face the charges. If convicted, Wheatley faces six to 30 years in prison and the loss of her pension.
The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Revenue’s (IDOR) Criminal Investigations Division.
“Whenever allegations of tax fraud come to light, it is important that we examine their validity and act accordingly,” said Connie Beard, IDOR Director. “I commend the job performed by the Department of Revenue’s Criminal Investigations Unit, as well as the work currently being done by the Attorney General’s office regarding this matter.”
Assistant Attorney General Gregory Stucka is handling the case for Madigan’s Special Prosecutions Bureau.