Ted Brodeur Reveals Why He Stole As Big Brothers/Big Sisters CEO: 'I Don't Think It Was $100,000 Or $50,000'

SHOREWOOD, IL — One of Joliet's largest not-for-profit embezzlement investigations in years ended this month when ousted Big Brothers/Big Sisters CEO Ted Brodeur pleaded guilty to felony theft and was ordered to repay $40,000 in restitution as part of his sentence. Now that the case is over, Joliet Patch has obtained the Will County Sheriff's investigation reports surrounding its case against Brodeur.

While some of the police reports involving witness interviews were heavily redacted, the ones involving the detective interviews with Brodeur were not. Joliet Patch has produced the following story chronicling the Will County Sheriff's investigation against Brodeur, and their quest to determine how much money Brodeur stole from Joliet's Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.

Detective Sgt. Chris Cavera of the sheriff's office told Joliet Patch this week that the embezzlement investigation did not involve Brodeur's previous employment with the Joliet Park District because detectives did not have any evidence leading them to suspect Brodeur stole funds from his former employer.

Sheriff's Detectives Arrive At Brodeur's House

On Sept. 3, 2024, Will County Sheriff's detectives Hilary Lithgow and Nick Binnendyk drove into Shorewood's Hidden Creek Estates subdivision along Seil Road and parked in front of the two-story house in the 800 block of Willow Lane.

They saw Ted Brodeur in his front yard watering his plants.

"Ted put his hose away and led detectives to the front living room of his residence where everyone was seated. Ted advised detectives he had been waiting for police to come speak with him regarding the investigation," Lithgow stated in her report.

After retiring from the Joliet Park District, Brodeur told the two detectives he became the chief executive officer for the Joliet-based Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization in May of 2019 and he started his new job that August.

Brodeur explained that COVID hit in 2020, and things became slow.

Ted Brodeur Almost Lost His House Because Of His Gambling

"Ted advised he used their money for some personal things and took it out of the bank and did some things he shouldn't have," the detectives wrote. "Ted advised he knew he had a problem and for him, it was a gambling problem. Ted advised his gambling problem was very bad, to the point he almost lost his house.

"Ted advised he had been getting a pension for years and he didn't tell his wife he was getting it. Ted advised he would use the money from his pension to gamble and would blow through it all leaving no money to pay bills. Ted advised one thing led to another and it started spiraling out of control."

Brodeur explained to the sheriff's detectives that he began collecting his Joliet Park District pension in January 2021.

In July 2019, Joliet Patch reported that the Joliet Park District had worked out an expensive severance agreement for Brodeur, director of revenue facilities and golf operations, giving him $17,215, which was two months of regular salary, plus another $81,484 for his nest egg of unused vacation time and sick days. In total, Brodeur received $98,699 to part ways with the Joliet Park District after about 30 years on the job.

At that time, Patch also reported that Brodeur would be replacing Mike Trafton, the retired Joliet police chief, as the new CEO of Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

In December 2018, while Brodeur remained a director at Joliet's Park District, Trafton and his brother, Rick, obtained a five-year lease agreement to open their Dock At Inwood restaurant and bar inside the Joliet Park District's Inwood recreation center that bears Brodeur's name on a wall plaque, honoring the building's construction.

Brodeur Reveals He Had Debit Card, Credit Card As Big Brothers/Big Sisters CEO

"Ted advised as the CEO, he learned as he went," Detective Lithgow wrote. "Ted advised there were no classes he attended to learn how to do the position and he would have liked it if there were. Ted advised he would ask Mike Trafton, who was the previous CEO, if he had questions and he also spoke to Lisa Las on how things worked."

Las serves as executive director of the Will County Children's Advocacy Center.

In any event, Brodeur told the two sheriff's detectives that Big Brothers/Big Sisters had one credit card through Capital One and one debit card through First Community Trust.

"Ted advised the cards stayed in his office and if someone needed a card, he would tell them to take one of them," Lithgow stated. "Ted advised he would take money out for something and even though it wasn't for him at times, he couldn't say who it was for because he is a giving person.

"Ted advised if somebody wanted or needed something, he would go get it for them and he can't give the name of who this is or what he did. Ted advised that was not all of it and he knows he used money for his personal self. Ted advised he doesn't have anyone to blame but himself.

"Ted advised he doesn't know when he started using it for himself because his gambling has been a problem that got worse over the years for him. Ted advised the lying about it sent him into a tailspin. Ted advised he didn't learn it was that big of a problem until it was too late, and he looks at it now as he is glad it happened because he was going down a path that was not going to be a good one."

During his interview with Will County detectives, Brodeur reflected upon his family.

"Ted advised he had grandkids in the last three months, and he thanks God that he is still here now for that. Ted advised he sought treatment for his problem, and he still has people supporting him ... Ted advised he hasn't gambled in 8-9 months. Ted advised he is a different person now and ready to deal with whatever. Ted advised he had to do something with his mortgage to add it on the end so he could keep the house after not being able to pay his mortgage due to his gambling. Ted advised he was at a point he would get paid and first thing he would want to do was go gambling.

"Ted advised his gambling got out of control during COVID and when he started drawing his pension. Ted advised when he would take cash withdrawals from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters accounts, he would think he would win money and pay back what he used right away," the sheriff's reports noted. "Ted advised he would also think he was going to give them back even more. Ted advised he would do the withdrawals at a bank or any place that had an ATM and he didn't care if his name popped up on the account."

Single Mother's Rent Payments Wind Up In Brodeur's Pockets

Brodeur indicated that aside from himself, a female employee at Big Brothers/Big Sisters was the only person at the organization involved in the day-to-day finances.

"Ted advised (name redacted) had to be seeing the transactions because she would ask him about the transactions. Ted advised (name redacted) would ask through text or call about the transactions. Ted advised it was spiraling downhill and eventually he stopped keeping track of the transactions when at the beginning he would put everything down on spreadsheets," the sheriff's report showed.

Inside Brodeur's living room, the interview shifted to a single mother who was getting housing assistance from Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

"Ted advised there was a rental where a single mother was paying $500 to BBBS to rent her apartment from them. Ted advised that prior to him becoming the CEO, she wasn't paying anything due to a sponsor paying her rent. Ted advised she started paying cash and some cash went back to her and some didn't. Ted clarified, saying he would tell her to not worry about the payment and then other times she would pay it and the money wouldn't make it into the BBBS account.

"Ted advised he isn't denying anything and during a time for him, green to him was gold. Ted advised the rent payment was an opportunity for him to go make more money and win, not only for himself, but he was very, very giving to the organization," Detective Lithgow wrote. "Ted advised he really wanted to somehow win money and give it back. Ted advised he did whatever he could for the families and he screwed it up ... he knows he made mistakes and he is ready for the consequences. Ted advises he can't change anything he has done and all he can do is move forward. Ted advised he doesn't have a problem with what is going to happen to him and he isn't going to fight it."

Brodeur Tells Will County Detectives He Feels Relief Now

According to the detectives' interview, "Ted feels relief since this came out and what he did to everyone else is like a ton of bricks. Ted advised he had to lie to everyone about his gambling, and it is a relief not having to lie anymore ... Ted advised at the fundraisers, there was cash collected and all the cash didn't make it to (name redacted) from him. When asked about if he had an estimate of cash that was taken in and at the fundraisers, Ted advised he didn't have an estimate because all of them brought in different amounts of cash," the sheriff's document outlined. "Ted advised he doesn't remember specifics for the things he was doing. Ted advised he could not give an exact dollar amount. Detective Binnendyk asked Ted if it would have been a few hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars and Ted advised it would sometimes be a few hundred but did not think it was ever a few thousand.

"Ted advised if there was $400, $500 or $600 bucks in there, it wouldn't be all the time, but he would take $50 or $100 out. Ted advised he doesn't know exactly how much he would take," Detective Lithgow indicated.

Detective Lithgow Asks How Much Brodeur Actually Stole

Detective Lithgow wanted to know how much money Brodeur stole from Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

"The undersigned asked Ted if he ever sat down and thought about an estimate as to how much he has taken from Big Brothers Big Sisters," she wrote. "Ted advised his wife asks him all the time. Ted advised, 'It was $10,000, $15,000, I don't think it was $100,000 or $50,000. I don't think it was anywhere near that, but honestly, I don't know.'"

Next, the pair of detectives inquired about the Edward Jones investment account for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

"Ted advised anytime they needed cash to operate, they would withdraw money from that account. Ted advised he would call or email Edward Jones to draw money so bills could be paid. Ted advised he and ... had access to the Edward Jones account."

Lithgow showed Brodeur photos of debit cards and asked if those looked familiar.

"Ted was asked why there were three debit cards with his name on them. Ted advised because they were hacked. Ted advised one would be bad, so another one got hacked and then had just got the one that had 'Theodore' on it instead of 'Ted.' Ted advised the cards in (names redacted by sheriff's office) ... may have been used after they were gone if someone in the office needed to use them to make purchases."

Shortly after Brodeur brought up the fact that his wife's father recently passed away, Detective Binnendyk asked Brodeur whether a certain person suspected he was gambling.

The person's name was redacted by the sheriff's office in the reports given to Joliet Patch.

"Ted advised (name redacted) knew he gambled, but she had no idea. Ted advised he would race home to get the mail so she wouldn't see any letters for his retirement or past due bills," the detective wrote.

Detective Lithgow provided Brodeur with photographic evidence and the receipts of him using Big Brothers/Big Sisters debit and credit cards to make purchases. He was shown a photograph of himself and another person, whose name was redacted in the police report, making a purchase at the Joliet Hobby Lobby store.

"Ted advised he never used the debit cards for BBBS to purchase anything for (name redacted). Ted advised if he did, it was on something he doesn't think he would do knowingly. Ted was shown the receipt and photo for the purchase made at Menards in Crest Hill. Ted advised the turkey fryer was in the basement at BBBS and he purchased it. Ted advised he would buy things and use it for personal use at his home and then bring it to the organization."

From there, detectives showed him photographs and receipts from a Joliet Walmart store purchase from Nov. 29, 2023, and they asked Brodeur about his $100 cashback receipt.

Joliet Patch has published some of the police reports from the Joliet Walmart store on West Jefferson Street and the Double J Sports Bar on Essington Road at the bottom of this story.

"Ted advised he would make a purchase knowing he could get cash that way and say, 'Oh, I got an extra hundred dollars coming out that way," the detectives noted. "Ted acknowledged there are a few of those that he did.

"Ted advised there were mornings he would go to Walmart in the morning and bought stuff so he could get cash out and give it to the guy who sits on the corner. The undersigned asked Ted if he was saying on this purchase at Walmart which contained a Fuji apple and organic carrots that the purchase would have been for the organization. Ted advised, 'No, it would have been something I bought for myself.' Ted further advised that his wife would ask him to bring something home. Ted advised he didn't have his own money because he gambled it away and that is some of the charges he did. Ted advised he was not denying that he used that card for things he should not have. Ted advised it was all because he had nothing in his bank account and detectives could call his bank and see all the overdraft fees."

Will County's detectives switched the topic of conversation to Brodeur's visits to Menards.

"Ted advised the Menards purchase with a Menards gift card on it could have been something for the holidays for families," Lithgow wrote. "The undersigned started to show Ted video surveillance photos from cash withdrawals at the Double J Sports Bar. Ted advised he would take money out of there and half the time he never got out of the chair and then put the money right back in.

Brodeur Reveals Joliet Area Bars Where He Gambled

"Ted advised the money from there would have been used in the gaming machines and advised that he didn't even want to see those pictures," the detective indicated. "Detective Binnendyk asked Ted if there were any other places he withdrew from and Ted advised he did at the Bullpen in Shorewood. Ted advised he also did at McBride's.

Lithgow followed up and asked if Brodeur's visits to those bars were done for gambling.

"Those were 100 percent for me, no doubt about that," Brodeur answered.

Finally, Brodeur complimented Detective Binnendyk and Detective Lithgow on their performance, explaining "how he appreciated how much we were doing our jobs," Lithgow wrote. "Ted advised he had been waiting and every time a car pulled up, he would think it had to be somebody. Ted advised he isn't running or hiding from it. Ted advised he was glad things were moving forward.

"They sent the right people," Brodeur praised the two detectives, according to Lithgow's report. 'You guys made me feel comfortable.' Ted advised when you do something wrong, you 'pay the piper' maybe in restitution or prison time.

"Ted advised it was a life-saving event. Ted advised he has realized he was doing it knowing it was wrong and knowing he would get caught. Ted advised he didn't hire an attorney and there was no reason to get anyone. Ted advised he would like (Detective Lithgow) to contact him if the special prosecutor wishes to meet with him."

Before the interview ended, Brodeur gave the two detectives his phone number and then he wanted them to know one more thing about him.

"Ted advised he really is not a bad person. He screwed up and started going down a wrong path and couldn't stop. Ted advised he would win and just feed the money back in. Ted advised his wife's fear is she opened her business and people will think about where she got her money. Ted advised she didn't know anything about this because he was such a good liar," the sheriff's detective wrote.

Earlier in the interview, the detectives noted in their reports that Brodeur told them that his wife opened a candle business in Gardner, "where you make your own candles at."

As far as his gambling losses were concerned, Brodeur advised that his spending got much worse in the fall of 2023 after a relative attempted to commit suicide.

"Ted was asked about the $2,500 charge to the Joliet Park District. Ted advised he remembered making it. Ted advised it was the only card he had and he intended on putting the money back in the account. When the undersigned asked if he ended up paying it back, Ted advised he honestly didn't know if he ever put it back or not."

When the interview ended, Brodeur thanked Lithgow and Binnendyk, the reports show.

In December 2024, Bill Elward, the long-time Illinois special prosecutor who handles cases that Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow farms out to avoid conflicts of interest, filed felony theft charges against Brodeur.

Brodeur avoided being taken into custody, given a police mugshot or being booked into the Will County Jail. Instead, Brodeur was issued a summons, rather than a warrant for his arrest. As a result, he came to the Will County Courthouse for his arraignment along with his hired attorney, Kristine Honiotes. The indictment accused Brodeur of taking somewhere between $10,000 and $100,000 between Jan. 1, 2022 and Dec. 19, 2023.

Brodeur's subsequent guilty plea resulted in no jail or prison time from Will County's sentencing Judge John Connor. As part of his sentence of 24 months of court probation, Brodeur is required to repay $40,000 in restitution. Half of it was due at the time of the guilty plea, and the rest is due when Brodeur's probation ends in 24 months.

Will County Undersheriff Reflects On Brodeur Investigation, Fallout

On Wednesday, Joliet Patch reached out to Will County Undersheriff Dan Jungles, who served as the chief deputy of criminal investigation for the duration of the embezzlement investigation against Brodeur as CEO of Joliet's Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.

"The true victims in this case are the children who rely on mentorship, guidance, and opportunity from the generous donors who gave their hard-earned money. When funds intended to uplift young people are misused, the damage goes far beyond dollars," Jungles responded. "It erodes trust in institutions that serve our community’s most important gift, our children, who are the future. Let me be clear, anyone who abuses a position of trust, especially within organizations dedicated to helping children, will be held accountable.

"If you choose to exploit charitable resources for personal gain, you should expect thorough investigation, arrest, and prosecution. In Will County, we will continue to stand up for victims, protect donor trust, and ensure that those who prey on goodwill face the full consequences of their actions."

Joliet Patch also asked Jungles whether the sheriff's office and the detectives felt that Brodeur should have received jail or prison time as a result of his crimes.

"I think everyone involved in the case feels that the sentence is light, but we understand why due to his criminal history," Jungles replied.