Former Highwood Deputy Fire Chief on trial

There has been a long-standing investigation and suspension of Ronald Pieri, the former deputy chief of the Highwood Fire Department. An article from 2013 is available here. The case has recently resurfaced as a trial is currently underway, with several recent news pieces covering the situation. According to reports from ChicagoTribune.com, Lake County prosecutor Scott Turk described Pieri as a “disgruntled employee” who wanted to work a standard 9-to-5 schedule. In his opening statement, Turk claimed that Pieri falsified time records to receive extra pay for work he should have done during his regular 24-hour shifts. He stated that the state’s evidence would show that Pieri committed felony charges of official misconduct, theft, and false entry, costing taxpayers approximately $58,676 in pay, lost work time, and benefits. Pieri's defense team, however, argues that the state’s data is unreliable, citing three different sets of calculations provided by experts. Defense attorney Julie Trewarthen criticized the evidence as “flawed, faulty, and unreliable,” suggesting that the entire case is built on shaky ground. After four years of delays, the trial finally began before Judge Victoria Rossetti, with Pieri waiving his right to a jury trial. At the start of the trial, the only witness was Thomas Lovejoy, former fire chief of Highwood. He testified that Pieri, who had previously served as fire chief, was a shift commander overseeing one of the department’s three 24-hour shifts. In 2007, Pieri became deputy fire chief and received a 20% raise, making him an exempt employee no longer eligible for overtime pay. Despite this, Lovejoy said it was common for Pieri to submit time sheets without approval. The case originally involved more serious theft charges, but those were dropped. Pieri still faces potential prison time and loss of his firefighter pension if convicted. The city placed him on paid administrative leave in 2011, and he continued receiving his $66,000 salary until 2013 when a formal complaint led to his unpaid suspension. Several colleagues of Pieri took the stand during the trial, testifying about his frequent absences and discrepancies in time cards. One firefighter, Jason Noga, admitted to covering for Pieri and entering his shifts into the system. Meanwhile, Lovejoy testified that he was pressured by city officials to promote Pieri, despite the role being largely administrative. A defense economist, Benjamin Wilner, argued that the prosecution’s calculations were inconsistent and unreliable, comparing the process to building a house on a shaky foundation. He pointed out that the prosecution did not account for non-fraudulent events like administrative duties. However, the judge rejected the defense’s motion for acquittal, citing Lovejoy’s testimony that Pieri was expected to continue working his shifts. As the trial continues, both sides are presenting their arguments, with the outcome potentially affecting Pieri’s future and the integrity of the Highwood Fire Department. The case remains a significant legal and public affairs story in the area.

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