NEWS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

A. COURTNEY COX
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
Nine Executive Drive, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208, Telephone (618) 628-3700

For Immediate Release
December 8, 2008

WASHINGTON PARK VILLAGE CLERK PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT

A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that DOROTHY RICHARDSON TRIPLETT, age 38 of Washington Park, Illinois, pled guilty to an Indictment charging two counts of Misapplication of Property of the Village of Washington Park, a Local Government that Receives Federal Funds. Each count carries a maximum statutory penalty of up to ten years in prison, three years supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and mandatory restitution. Sentencing is currently scheduled for March 20, 2009, in East St. Louis.

At the plea hearing, TRIPLETT, who is employed as the payroll clerk and assistant to the Mayor’s assistant for the Village of Washington Park, admitted that she embezzled approximately $143,828.35 from the Village of Washington Park during 2006 and 2007.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigations, and the Department of Labor, Office of Labor Racketeering.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.