DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced today that Wade A. Beck, 37 (d.o.b. 10/31/66), of 11305 E. 195th in Raymore, Missouri, formerly of St. Charles, was sentenced today to twelve (12) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for theft of over $3.6 million from the local office of USA TODAY, which is owned by Gannett Company of Lombard.  While formerly serving as the Controller of USA TODAY’s Lombard office, Beck stole funds from the company over a 7½ year period from January of 1994 through June of 2001.  During today’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors further revealed that Beck had written a total of 856 checks to himself or his accounts, totaling $3.6 million.  In June of 2002, Beck pleaded guilty to the one count of Theft and today Judge Robert Anderson announced his sentence.

In addition to prison time, Judge Anderson ordered Beck to begin paying restitution totaling $3.6 million immediately following his release.  The judge specified that the restitution was to be paid out over a 5 year period.  Approximately $3.3 million of it will be paid to an insurance company while $250,000 will be paid to Gannett Company, Inc. to cover the deductible that the company was required to cover.

In July of 2001, Beck was indicted on one (1) count of Felony Theft (over $100,000) by a DuPage County Grand Jury following an investigation by Gannett and the Lombard Police Department.  According to the indictment, USA TODAY began an investigation in early June of 2001 following the discovery of numerous checks written out to a “vendor” that they did not recognize.  Further investigation revealed that that “vendor” was a shell account opened by the defendant.  During USA TODAY’s audit, additional checks affiliated with the controller were reviewed, revealing a number of checks issued by Beck which went towards several of his personal accounts.   While this audit and investigation was being conducted, authorities at the Lombard Police Department were notified of the alleged theft and they in turn contacted the Public Integrity/Financial Crimes Unit of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.  Through the efforts of prosecutors, Grand Jury subpoenas were issued, with final results of the investigation revealing the total amount that Beck had stolen.

Beck was taken into custody by Sheriff’s deputies immediately following the conclusion of this morning’s sentencing hearing. 

“This case is yet another example of the devastating impact that white collar crime has on businesses, large and small,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.   “The economic loss is either passed on to consumers or the businesses fail.  We will continue to vigorously investigate such cases, and as in today’s case, seek restitution in the entire amount stolen from businesses that are victimized.”   

State’s Attorney Birkett praised the Lombard Police Department, and specifically Detective William Marks, then under the direction of Chief Karl Dillenkoffer, for their outstanding job investigating this case.  He further praised the efforts of Assistant State’s Attorneys Patrick Weiland and Tim Diamond of the Public Integrity/Financial Crimes Unit of his office.   

“The 12 year sentence that this defendant received should send a powerful message of deterrence throughout the business community here in DuPage County,” State’s Attorney Birkett concluded.