Former Orland Township Staffer Accused of Pocketing $58,975

ORLAND TOWNSHIP, IL -- A former Orland Township employee is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from various township funds, including the food pantry, after an internal audit linked her to the missing funds, police said in a news release. Michelle Patras, 48, of Tinley Park, was charged with continuing a financial criminal enterprise and theft of government property over $10,000, both felonies. Patras was arrested after a year-long investigation.

Orland Township officials went to Orland Park police in May 2017 with suspicions about a township employee, later identified as Patras, allegedly stealing township funds. Orland Park police started an investigation, which revealed on March 13, 2017 that township employees discovered that a check from the general assistance fund was missing from internal logs. A full internal investigation was launched, which found that numerous unauthorized checks were cashed along with unauthorized wire transfer payments. The discrepancies turned up in the general assistance, food pantry and general town funds. Police said all of the audit trails for the unauthorized transactions led back to Patras. She was terminated on March 23, 2017.

The police investigation determined that beginning around September 2016 until the time of her termination, a total of 66 fraudulent transactions were allegedly conducted by Patras. Police said the total amount for all of the transactions was determined to be $58,975.76. Patras, in the presence of her attorney, surrendered herself Monday to Orland Park police.

“As soon as we determined there was criminal activity, we immediately brought it to the attention of the proper authorities,” Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady said in a written statement. “From the start of this investigation, we have worked and cooperated with both the and investigators with the Orland Park Police Department and will continue to do so until the conclusion of this case.”

According to Orland Township minutes available online, Patras was hired in January 2016 as an assistant administrator at an annual salary of $53,000. The township general assistance fund provides financial aid to individuals and families during severe economic crisis. Money also turned up missing from the general town fund for new amenities in the township, and the food pantry.

"I established the food pantry to help those who are the most vulnerable in our community, so I find repugnant Ms. Patras' behavior in using the pantry for her own personal gain," O’Grady said. "Thankfully, the township's internal protocols uncovered Ms. Patras' actions and she will be held legally accountable."

Throughout the investigation, Orland Park police worked closely with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Special Prosecution Division. Patras was scheduled to appear Monday at the Bridgeview Courthouse for a bond hearing.