There has been a long-standing investigation and suspension of the former Highwood Fire Department deputy chief. A 2013 article is available here. The case has recently resurfaced in the news as the trial has officially begun, with several new reports emerging on the topic.
From the Chicago Tribune:
Lake County prosecutor Scott Turk described Ronald Pieri, the former deputy fire chief, as a “disgruntled employee†who wanted to work a standard 9-to-5 schedule. During his opening statement, Turk claimed that Pieri’s dissatisfaction and greed led him to falsify time records and claim extra pay for work he could have done during his regular shifts. The prosecution argues that Pieri’s actions cost taxpayers approximately $58,676 in improper payments, lost work time, and benefits.
Pieri’s defense team, however, disputes this, pointing out that there are three different sets of calculations from experts regarding how he should have been paid. Defense attorney Julie Trewarthen argued that the state’s evidence is unreliable and based on flawed data. After four years of delays, Pieri’s trial finally began before Judge Victoria Rossetti, with Pieri waiving his right to a jury trial. He was charged in 2011 with falsifying time records and claiming compensation between 2006 and 2010.
At the time of his arrest, Pieri was the highest-ranking member of the department and the husband of a sitting alderwoman, as well as the son of a former alderman. The only witness to testify on Monday was former Fire Chief Thomas Lovejoy, who confirmed that Pieri often submitted time sheets without approval. Lovejoy also mentioned that it was not unusual for Pieri to handle the process himself.
The state previously dropped the most serious theft charge involving over $100,000, but Pieri still faces potential prison time and loss of his pension if convicted. The city placed him on paid leave in 2011, and he continued receiving his salary until two years ago when a formal complaint was filed. The board later voted to suspend him without pay.
The city’s fire and police board is waiting for the criminal case outcome before deciding whether to reinstate Pieri. They had hired a consulting firm to review his pay structure, but ultimately decided not to use the findings.
Pieri’s defense claims he was underpaid due to poor record-keeping, while the prosecution insists on the fraud allegations. The trial is expected to continue with more witnesses in the coming days.
Additional updates from the Chicago Tribune show that colleagues testified about Pieri’s frequent absences and inconsistencies in his time cards. Another economist testified that the numbers used by prosecutors changed significantly across different calculations, raising doubts about their reliability. The trial continues, with both sides presenting their arguments in a high-stakes legal battle over the former deputy chief’s conduct.
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