'Polar Express' Train Profits Derailed By Amtrak Manager From Downers Grove: Cops

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — 'The Polar Express' tells the tale of a train conductor who renews a child's faith in the holiday spirit just in time for Christmas, but for one Amtrak manager,the Polar Express Holiday ride doesn't have a storybook ending. Benjamin Sheets, 50, of Downers Grove, pleaded guilty to steering more than $30,000 in funds to a no-bid contract for a photography booth set up by his wife at the annual holiday event.

According to federal prosecutors, Sheets and his wife set up a photo booth and charged eager holiday revelers $10 for a pic. The photo booth raked in a total of $36,790 before Amtrak officials became aware of the alleged arrangement.

Things started to get slippery when one of Sheets's supervisors saw the previously undisclosed photo booth, WGN News reports. This prompted an investigation by Amtrak's inspector general in which Sheets allegedly made up false documents to prove a fictitious third party had arranged the contract. Sheets later pleaded guilty to making false statements to the inspector general.

According to CBS Chicago, prosecutors believe Sheets was trying to recoup $25,000 in personal debt. That debt was addressed in an email to Sheets from his wife, which also allegedly read, "We need to write an agreement for Polar Express."

Sheets faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. He is no longer employed by Amtrak.

>>Photo provided by Suzy Conley Duran