Wyllie Pleads Not Guilty To Fraud, Embezzlement

CHICAGO, IL — Former Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Superintendent Lawrence Wyllie pleaded not guilty to all charges of fraud and embezzlement leveled against him in a Chicago courtroom on Wednesday, according to multiple media reports. Wyllie, who led LW 210 for 24 years before retiring in 2013, faces five counts of wire fraud and one count of embezzlement on allegations that include his misuse of money from an approved $225 million referendum.

Wyllie appeared in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman in a blue suit and did not respond to any questions from the media after the 10 minute arraignment, both the Herald-News and Daily Southtown report.

A handful of District 210 residents showed up to the hearing and voiced their opinions with reporters who were there.

Wyllie, who led the district in its period of rapid growth, is accused of causing an additional $7 million in debt, partly by misusing about $80,000 for his own personal benefit. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for New Lenox — or your town. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

RELATED: Former LW 210 Chief Indicted For Wire Fraud, Embezzlement

The indictment states that Wyllie hid the "true financial health" of the district during his time as superintendent. The personal projects on which he allegedly used at least $50,000 of the bonds include Superdog, a dog-training school he operated at one of the district's schools. The indictment claims Superdog "provided no benefit to the four high schools" in the district.

He is also accused of misusing more than $16,000 by paying himself a retirement stipend that was not in his contract.

The referendum funds he is accused of misappropriating bonds from was used to renovate Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way East, while also constructing Lincoln-Way West and Lincoln-Way North. North was since closed less than a decade after it opened.

Wyllie is represented by Attorney Dan Webb, who indicated in both media reports that he intends to take the case to trial.

Photo via Patch archive from 2013