WILL COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO 4 ½ YEARS FOR STEALING FROM EMPLOYER

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett today announced that Daniel R. Bianchi, 42 (d.o.b. 2/24/1965), 3316 Concord Ct., Lockport was sentenced today to 4 ½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for stealing nearly $90,000 from his former employer, a heavy equipment machine part sales company in Wood Dale.  Bianchi was a 13-year employee of the company.

             Today’s sentencing, in front of Judge Mark Dwyer, stems from allegations that between June 2001, and March 2002, Bianchi stole heavy machinery parts and engines from his employer and illegally sold them to contacts he made through his work.  Bianchi kept the proceeds from the sales.  In all Bianchi was found to have stolen approximately $93,000 worth of merchandise.  The theft was uncovered by company authorities who turned their findings over to the State’s Attorney’s Office.

             On April 23, 2007, Bianchi entered a blind plea of guilty to Theft of Property More Than $10,000 but Less Than $100,000, a Class 2 Felony punishable by up to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

             “For approximately eight months Mr. Bianchi betrayed the trust his employers had placed in him,” commented Birkett.  “Not only did he steal merchandise, but he also stole potential customers.  I would like to thank company authorities for uncovering this theft as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Mary K. Cronin for her fine work in putting an end to Mr. Bianchi’s scheme.”

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