Ford Heights officials charged in municipal fund scheme

Eleven current and former elected officials and municipal employees in Ford Heights, Illinois, face a total of 79 felony charges following an investigation into the illegal use of taxpayer funds. According to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, the defendants allegedly used municipal money to finance personal casino vacations in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Michigan City, Indiana.

The charges, which include theft of governmental property and official misconduct, cover expenses such as airfare, hotel stays, and costly entertainment. Among those charged are former Mayor Annie R. Coulter, current Village Clerk Nyree D. Ford, and sitting trustees Johnny A. Griffin and James E. Morgan.

Investigators from the Attorney General’s Criminal Division and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Ford Heights Municipal Hall as part of the probe. Attorney General Raoul stated that the actions are especially egregious given the responsibility officials have to the taxpayers they serve.