Former Oak Forest Deputy Fire Chief Cleared in Embezzlement Case

A Cook County Judge on Wednesday said wasn’t swayed that former Oak Forest Deputy Chief Fire had known about his wife’s embezzling money from a Palos Heights fire protection district.

Circuit Court Judge Kerry Kennedy ruled Charles Sopko not guilty of theft and operating a continuing financial crimes enterprise in relation to his wife’s theft of more than $350,000.

His wife Michelle pleaded guilty in March, after prosecutors said she redirected more than $350,000 from the fire district where she worked from 2008 to 2012, into the bank account she shared with her husband. Her schemes included paying herself overtime and paying salaries for two “ghost” employees. She and her husband were arrested in December 2013. She was sentenced to eight years in prison; her family members are repaying $120,000 to the fire district.

Assistant State’s Attorney Michael O’Malley argued Wednesday that the couple spent the swindled funds on vacations and cars, and that the fire official must have known their spending exceeded their combined $100,000 a year income. The family “survived on the pocketbook of Palos Heights taxpayers,” he said.

”Did the Sopko family live above their means? Show me someone who doesn’t,” Kennedy said during his ruling, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

He still holds the rank of lieutenant and is currently on paid leave. Prior to the April 2015 election, he sat on the Oak Forest Park District Board of Commissioners. He opted not to run for re-election.

He declined comment on the verdict.