Former Du-Comm Employee Sentenced for Official Misconduct

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced that former Du-Comm employee Carmen L. Ford, 43 (d.o.b.6/28/61) of Schaumburg was sentenced yesterday for Official Misconduct in connection with wrongdoing she committed while she served as the public agency’s Human Resources Administrator. After Ford entered a blind plea, Judge Ann Jorgensen sentenced her to 30 months probation, restitution in the amount of $8,971.09, 80 days of periodic imprisonment, fines and fees as well as the statutory requirement of submission of a DNA sample as a convicted felon. Ford had been originally charged with one (1) count of Official Misconduct and one (1) count of Theft in February of 2004.

During yesterday’s court proceedings it was revealed that during the period of December 20, 2002 through January of 2004, Ford, while acting in her official capacity as Human Resources administrator, stole nearly $9,000 from Du-Comm (DuPage Public Safety Communications). Specifically, Ford issued herself payroll checks for amounts greater than her actual salary, which amounted to almost $8,300 in additional compensation which she was not entitled to. Additionally, during that same period, Ford used a Du-Comm credit card to pay for unauthorized goods and services that were for her own personal use, which totaled nearly $700.

“Violation of the public’s trust is a serious offense,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett. “When that trust is violated, this office will take swift action to hold that public servant accountable for their actions. As a result of yesterday’s conviction and sentence, Ford will never again hold a position of trust and authority within government.”

State’s Attorney Birkett thanked the Glendale Heights Police Department and Assistant State’s Attorney Ken Tatarelis for their thorough and professional investigation and prosecution of this case. He further praised Du-Comm for their full cooperation and assistance throughout the course of this investigation.