Plea Deal Not Yet Set for Oak Forest Woman Accused of Embezzling $350,000

A plea deal has not yet been reached for Michelle Sopko, an Oak Forest woman accused, along with her husband, of embezzling $350,000 from a south suburban fire protection district.

Cook County prosecutors began working on a deal this summer, but still have details to work out, Tribune Media Group reports. Her next court date is set for Jan. 15.

Sopko is charged with misconduct and forgery, after it was discovered she allegedly funneled $352,000 from Palos Heights Fire Protection District’s payroll and accounts payable system into the couple’s bank account over the course of 30 months. She was fired from her job as a part-time bookkeeper/administrative assistant with the fire district in December 2012.

Prosecutors allege she manned a ghost payroll system through which the district paid two fictional employees—and herself for overtime she didn’t actually work, according to the report. She then obscured the theft with false financial reports, prosecutors allege.

Charles Sopko, Oak Forest’s former deputy fire chief, faces charges of felony theft, conducting a financial criminal enterprise and forgery. He was removed from his role as deputy chief, but still holds the rank of lieutenant. Aldermen this summer voted to reinstate his pay at that level.