Ray Graham official charged with defrauding residents

A Chicago woman accused of stealing Illinois Link Cards from two disabled residents of Lisle's Ray Graham Association is being held on $75,000 bail, DuPage County authorities said Wednesday.

Prosecutors said Nakarria L. Bell, 31, of the 1500 block of North Mayfield Street, worked as an administrator in the association's corporate office in Lisle. Bell is charged with several counts of aggravated identity theft and financial exploitation of a person with a disability.

Naperville police began investigating the theft on Nov. 5, 2013, after a Link Card was reported missing from a safe at one of the Ray Graham Association's satellite homes in their city.

Several weeks later, Downers Grove police began investigating a card reported stolen from another Ray Graham satellite facility in their town.

Prosecutors said Bell, in her capacity as an administrator, had access to the safes at the association's satellite homes. They say that at some point before Oct. 27, 2013, Bell opened the safe at the Naperville location and took an Illinois Link Card. Between Nov. 24 and Nov. 27, 2013, Bell is also accused of opening the safe at the Downers Grove location and taking a Link Card.

Bell is accused of using both cards to purchase a total of about $600 in groceries and gasoline.

"For thousands of disabled individuals, the Ray Graham Association provides safety, comfort, support and a sense of independence," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "They provide a tremendous service for their residents and their families and the very idea that anyone, let alone an employee, would steal from these individuals is revolting."

A message seeking comment from Ray Graham officials was not immediately returned Wednesday.

Bell's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 20 in front of Judge Robert Kleeman.