Former Elgin Sergeant Stole $34K From Police Union: Authorities

ELGIN, IL – A former Elgin Police Department sergeant is accused of stealing $34,000 in police union funds over seven years, authorities said. A grand jury on Tuesday indicted William Wood, Jr., 50, of the 1200 block of Evergren Lane in Elgin, on a theft charge. A $30,000 warrant has been issued for Wood's arrest.

Wood allegedly embezzled the funds from the Police Benevolent and Protective Association #54. Wood was a treasurer and president from 2007 to 2013, the Elgin Courier-News reports. Wood retired from the police department shortly after an investigation was launched into the financial discrepancies in August 2017.

At that time, authorities learned about "a suspicious transaction from the union bank account."

"This prompted a review, during which financial documents were obtained and analyzed and additional discrepancies were uncovered," according to a news release. "Ultimately a lengthy investigation revealed that approximately $34,000 in police union funds were used for personal expenses over the course of seven years."

The criminal wrongdoing prompted the police union to change its bylaws last fall with the hopes of preventing future embezzlement cases.

The Daily Herald reports:

Elgin police officer and Union President Anthony Rigano said the union changed its bylaws effective in October 2017 to eliminate virtually all cash transactions, require two signatures on checks, and have a quorum of members vote on expenditures of more than $500.

Meanwhile, Elgin Police Chief Jeffrey Swoboda said the alleged actions by Wood should not be a reflection of other Elgin police officers or the Elgin Police Department as a whole.

"This is a sad day but we ask that the community keeps in mind this is a negative reflection on the former officer who committed the crime, not on the men and women of the organization who day-in and day-out give their best to the city of Elgin," according to a Facebook post from Swoboda.

Wood's defense attorney told the Daily Herald Wood is expected to turn himself\ into authorities in the next week. The attorney, Gary Johnson, had no other comment.

More via the Elgin Couirer-News and the Daily Herald

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