Assistant found guilty of Cuneo theft
A jury deliberated for about five hours Wednesday before finding a 58-year-old Lake County woman guilty of stealing from one of area's most well-known philanthropists.
Beverly Benson, of the 23000 block of Erhart Road near Grayslake, faces up to 15 years in prison after jurors convicted her of aggravated identity theft of a person over 60 years of age, four counts of financial exploitation of an elderly person, and theft of more than $10,000 but less than $100,000.
The charges alleged she took credit cards and money from John Cuneo Jr., the son of printing magnate and commercial real estate developer John Cuneo Sr.
Officials have not said exactly how much they believe Benson stole, but say she took up to $100,000 from Cuneo while working as his administrative assistant.
As part of her job duties, Lake County prosecutor Scott Turk said, Benson was to help oversee multiple checking accounts for Cuneo and his various businesses.
He said Benson stopped paying rent, had a utility bill on the house she was renting transferred to Cuneo's name, and used the checkbook and credit card for purchases beyond the scope of her job authority between May 1 and Dec. 31, 2012.
Turk said at trial that Benson made purchases at Best Buy, Macy's and various Lake County bars without Cuneo's authorization.
"When it comes right down to it, the defendant's story is not consistent and does not make sense," Turk said during closing statements Wednesday.
Defense attorney Barry Boches has argued Cuneo approved but doesn't remember authorizing the purchases.
Cuneo took the stand during the trial and denied multiple times that he authorized Benson to use corporate credit cards on anything besides business expenses.
"These cards were to be used for emergency purchases only," he said. "That's what those cards were for."
Benson was arrested March 26, 2013, following an investigation.