Corrections Officer Arrested for Falsifying OT Hours: Officials

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A Lake County correctional officer is accused of botching his time cards on several occasions to make it look like he worked overtime hours he did not actually work and essentially giving himself a $10,000 per year raise over the past couple years, authorities said Wednesday. Manuel Duarte was placed on administrative leave in June after administrators at the Lake County Jail found a discrepancy in a time card for Duarte, according to a statement Wednesday from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Following a "comprehensive investigation," officials determined Duarte modified his electronic time cards to include overtime hours for hours he did not work. The time card discrepancies dated back to November 2017 and resulted in a total payout of $20,000 in cash Collins did not earn, authorities said.

Joliet Officer Falsified Time Cards: Charges

Collins was charged Wednesday with theft, a class 2 felony, and officials misconduct, a class 3 felony, in connection with the crimes, according to prosecutors. A $200,000 warrant was issued for Collins arrest, and he was taken into custody at his home in 38300 block of North Holdridge Avenue in Beach Park at about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

“I am extremely disappointed that a member of our Office would violate their oath and the public’s trust. Neither I, nor our staff, will tolerate an employee violating the laws we are sworn to enforce," Idelburg said. "We (are) enlisted to serve the community, not take advantage of the community. This rogue corrections officer is not a reflection of the hard-working personnel we have, who dedicate themselves to serving the Lake County Community.”