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OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MICHAEL G. NERHEIM
STATE'S ATTORNEY
January 29, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia Vargas
(847) 377-3188
cvargas@lakecountyil.gov
ARRESTS MADE IN OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT OFFENSES
(Lake County, IL January 29, 2016) Lake County State's Attorney, Michael G. Nerheim announced that Veronica Ventura, 41 of the 1400th block of Lorelli, Drive in Zion, IL was arrested and charged with two counts of official misconduct and Leticia Gonzalez, 45 of the 1000th block of Shiloh Blvd in Zion, IL was arrested and charged with eight counts of official misconduct.
It is alleged that the defendants, while being employed by the Lake County Clerk of the Court and acting in their official capacities, knowingly altered 19th Judicial Circuit court records to obtain a personal benefit.
“As early as 2010, two related court clerks altered court files
for personal gain. When I took office in December, 2012 I
began putting in place safeguards and internal controls to prevent any
unauthorized changes to court files. With these safeguards in place, my office
began using these measures to identify any irregularities in previous
time periods. During an internal controls audit, two of my Chiefs
identified unauthorized changes in court files and immediately sprang into
action to bring these individuals to justice," said Keith Brin, Clerk of the Circuit Court. “The success of the tight internal controls and mandatory
oversight that I have put in place should give the public absolute
certainty that the sanctity of this process and the public trust will not be
breached under my watch.”
The investigation involving Leticia Gonzalez was initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secret Service-Chicago Field Office. The U.S. Secret Service in conjunction with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office completed the investigation involving the defendant. At the request of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Keith Brin, the investigation involving Veronica Ventura was initiated and investigated solely by the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.
Veronica Ventura posted 10% of $50,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on February 3, 2016 at 9am in C-120. Leticia Gonzalez appeared in front of the Honorable Charles Johnson today. She is scheduled to appear in court on February 25, 2016 at 9am in C-120 for Status of Preliminary Hearing. In addition, she posted 10% of $20,000 bond.
"This type of conduct
undermines the integrity of our court system and will not be tolerated. I
am proud of the work of my investigators who acted swiftly to complete this
investigation and thank the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office for their cooperation. I also want to thank the U.S. Secret Service for their collaboration in the investigation," said Nerheim.
Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim reminds the public that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Lake County State's Attorney's Office 18 N. County Street Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 377-3000
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Leticia Gonzalez, 45
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Veronica Ventura, 41
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