WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN MILITARY RAFFLE SCHEME

Sentenced to 180 Days in Jail, 24 Months Probation

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that Anne M. Pelligrini, 41, (d.o.b 12/28/64), of 324 North Ardmore, Villa Park, entered a plea of guilty to one count of Conspiracy and one count of Forgery, each a Class 3 Felony, for her role in an illegal raffle.

            In May, 2006, the DuPage County Crime Stoppers received a tip that Pelligrini and her fiancé, Donald L. McCarver, 42,(dob 4/16/65), of the same address, were posing as military reservist to fraudulently collect money from shoppers at local supermarkets and discount stores.  When approached by investigators, Pelligrini, who wore a Navy dress uniform, and McCarver insisted that they were military personnel and that the charity they were collecting funds for, the Navy/Marines Family Relief Fundraiser, was legitimate.  Further investigation revealed however, that neither Pelligrini nor McCarver were active military personnel and that the charity does not exist. 

            Judge George Bakalis sentenced Pelligrini to180 days in the DuPage County Jail and 24 months of probation and perform 150 hours of community service for a veteran’s organization.  In addition, Pelligrini must also pay restitution. 

            “What I find particularly disturbing in this case is that Ms. Pelligrini took advantage of the kindness and generosity that unsuspecting victims showed towards our men and women in uniform,”commented Birkett.  “She took donations that were intended to help families of the brave men and women who defend our country and kept them for her own personal use.  This scheme is deplorable.”                       

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