DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Oak Brook Police Chief Thomas Sheahan announced that on January 11, 2005, State’s Attorney Birkett approved charges of Theft against David A. Hofmann, 68 (d.o.b. 7/22/36) and Thelma Ogden, 52 (d.o.b. 9/26/52) in connection with the theft of over $500,000 from a 94 year old Oak Brook woman who was Hofmann’s mother.  In February, the DuPage County Grand Jury returned true bills against the two, including two (2) counts of Theft, one (1) count of Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person, and one (1) count of Forgery.  Warrants for Hofmann’s and Ogden’s arrest were signed in January when they were first charged, with both bonds being set at $1 million.  Hoffmann, of 675 Lake Street in Oak Park, was picked up on the warrant immediately by the Oak Park Police.  Ogden, who hails from 1726 Bella Plaine Avenue in Gurnee, remains at large, with authorities believing she may have returned to the Philippines where she is originally from.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Thelma Ogden should contact the Oak Brook Police Department at 630-990-3035.

In October of 2003, relatives of the victim, Angela Hofmann, contacted the Oak Brook Police Department with concerns that their elderly relative was the victim of a significant theft.  With the assistance of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Oak Brook Police Department conducted an investigation which revealed that Angela Hofmann’s caretaker, Thelma Ogden, and Hofmann’s son David had allegedly taken $500,000 from her under the ruse that the money was for a business venture of Ogden’s in the Philippines.  Authorities believe that defendants Ogden and Hofmann instead used the money to live extravagant lifestyles while vacationing in the Philippines on multiple occasions.

Charges of Theft were first approved by State’s Attorney Birkett in January of 2005, followed by the Grand Jury indictments previously noted.  Hofmann will appear in court next on April 18th at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Ann Jorgensen for hearing on a motion for bond reduction.

The charges against the defendants and the penalties they are eligible for if found guilty are as follows:

• Theft (over $100,000) (Class 1 felony) -- 4 to 15 years in prison, non-probationable;
• Theft (between $300 and $10,000) (Class 3 felony) -- 2 to 5 years in prison;
• Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person (over $5,000) (Class 2 felony) -- 3 to 7 years in prison
• Forgery (Class 3 felony) -- 2 to 5 years in prison.

However, since the charges of Theft over $100,000 and Forgery in this case are extended term eligible, the penalties would be 15 to 30 years and 5 to 10 years respectively.

“Financial crimes against the elderly involve the highest level of betrayal, especially when it is committed by their children” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “These two, including the person who was entrusted with her daily care, are alleged to have taken advantage of this 94 year old woman to the tune of approximately a half a million dollars.  I intend to see that this victim gets justice for these reprehensible acts.”

State’s Attorney Birkett praised the efforts of the detectives of the Oak Brook Police Department, especially Detective Brian Molloy, in addition to Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Ogan of the Special Victim’s Unit for their thorough investigation and work on this case. 

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not proof of a defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.