Former Top Cop Of Country Club Hills Indicted On Fraud Charges
CHICAGO (CBS/AP) -- A former suburban Chicago police chief has been indicted for allegedly defrauding a state job-training program and using much of a $1.25 million grant for her benefit.
U.S. prosecutors in Springfield announced the indictment of Regina Evans on Friday. She's charged with mail fraud and money laundering.
The ex-top cop in Country Club Hills accepted the 2009 grant under the Employment Opportunities Grant Program.
Evans indicated that 40 people would participate in electrical training and other jobs programs. But the indictment contends at least $500,000 went to benefit Evans, her family, friends and associates.
Evans entered a plea of not guilty at her court appearance in Springfield.
"Obviously we dispute all the allegations that are in the indictment. It's their burden to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. We think they're going to have problems doing that," Evans' attorney, Lawrence Beaumont, told CBS2's Mike Parker.
She is out on bond, but no one was answering the door Friday at her last known address, a home in an upscale Country Club Hills neighborhood.
"I think it's safe to say she's very afraid," Beaumont says. "I mean, certainly she's not used to anything like this."
Evans is scheduled to go on trial in Springfield on June 5, but her attorney says it will likely be delayed.
Fraud carries a maximum 20-year prison term and money laundering 10 years.
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