On April 14, 2015, Antionette Chenier, a former employee of the Chicago Department of Transportation, pled guilty to federal criminal charges of embezzlement in violation of 18 U.S.C § 666(a)(1) and an associated count of tax evasion in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201 in connection with her theft of over $740,000 from the City of Chicago pursuant to a written plea agreement.
Chenier worked as a clerk for the City of Chicago from 1990 until 2014. For the majority of this time, Chenier was assigned to CDOT’s City Hall permitting office where she processed moving van and dumpster permit fees. Between August 2008 and January 10, 2014, Chenier deposited approximately $741,299 in checks belonging to the City of Chicago into personal checking and business accounts she controlled at Charter One Bank. As a result of her conduct, Chenier was charged with theft of government funds and tax evasion.
Chenier will face a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a total maximum fine of $500,000, or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offenses of conviction, among other costs and assessments. The court must also order restitution.