Finance Director Accused Of Stealing From Village
WHEATON, Ill. (STMW) - Westmont's former finance director was indicted on Tuesday on charges alleging she stole more than $46,000 from the west suburban village for personal expenses.
Lisa VanBogget, 42, of 21 W. 411 Walnut Rd. in Glen Ellyn allegedly wrote checks without authorization from the village's account to pay for her own personal expenses, including credit card bills, a release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's office said.
The 13-count indictment also alleges official misconduct against VanBogget in that she allegedly took funds from a government entity while being a village employee or a person in a position of trust, the release said.
The thefts happened from Nov. 15, 2007 through Aug. 24, 2010, the release said.
VanBogget's alleged scheme was uncovered when authorities at the Village of Westmont discovered an unauthorized check VanBogget wrote to herself using a village account, the release said. Westmont police were notified and the state's attorney's office was contacted.
That led to an internal audit of all village funds and any fund VanBogget had access to.
In all, VanBogget was indicted with five counts of theft over $300 by government property, three counts of theft over $10,000 of government property, two counts of official misconduct and one count each of continuing financial crimes enterprise, financial institution fraud, online theft by deception, the release said.
A $150,000 arrest warrant has been issued and VanBogget is expected to turn herself in soon, the release said.
"If these accusations are proven true, Ms. VanBogget betrayed the trust and power of her position, and the trust of the employees and the citizens of Westmont," Westmont Mayor William H. Rahn said in the release.
"We as public servants have a duty to the residents we serve. As public servants, we must always provide the best service to our residents in an honest and trustworthy manner. Any betrayal of that trust by a public official is unacceptable," Rahn said.
