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Lake Zurich man charged in $1.4 million postage theft

A Lake Zurich man pleaded not guilty Friday to stealing more than $1.4 million in postage over a four-year period, the U.S. attorneys office said.

Robert Surovitz, 64, was released on an unsecured bond at his arraignment. He is charged with theft of government property, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court last week.

Randall Samborn, spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago, said the charges stem from B & T Enterprises, a now-defunct bulk mailing service that Surovitz operated out of Lincolnshire. Officials say Surovitz stole $1,409,305 in postage from January 2006 to March 2010.

Neither Surovitz nor defense attorney Terry Ekl could be reached for comment.

If convicted, Surovitz could face fines and up to 10 years in prison.

Surovitz is a longtime member of the Lake Zurich Lions Club and serves as a vice governor on the district cabinet, according to the organization’s website. He and his wife Terri received the Lifeline for a Lifetime Award from the United Relief Foundation in 2009 for their work with the humanitarian aid nonprofit.

Surovitz will appear in court May 11 for a status hearing.

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