Business

Former CHA worker charged with embezzlement

Posted August 08, 2013 7:00 am

Associated Press

A former employee of a Chicago Housing Authority contractor has been charged with embezzling money from the agency by fraudulently processing payments intended for CHA vendors.

The Cook County state's attorney's office announced Wednesday that Charlene Potts is charged with organizing a continuing financial crimes enterprise. The 42-year-old Potts is currently employed as the chief financial officer of the Joliet Housing Authority.

Also charged is Potts' husband, 49-year-old Scott Washington.

During a court hearing Wednesday, it was revealed Potts issued bogus payments to Washington. The checks were either cashed at currency exchanges or deposited in Washington's bank account and quickly withdrawn.

Potts and Washington were arrested Tuesday.

During a Wednesday hearing, bond was set at $50,000 for Potts and $25,000 for Washington. The case was continued to August 27, 2013.

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