24 months probation for woman in Cuneo family theft case
A woman convicted in September of stealing from a member of the Cuneo family in Vernon Hills was sentenced in Lake County court Monday to 24 months probation and 18 months periodic imprisonment.
Beverly Benson, 58, formerly of Grayslake, was allowed by Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes to spend the 18-month sentence on electronic home monitoring rather than periodic imprisonment, as long as she returns to Lake County jail once per week to check in.
Benson, who moved to Schaumburg, indicated she would try to check in to the jail as required, but also told Shanes she doesn't drive a car. She was remanded to Lake County jail for processing after the hearing.
Shanes also sentenced Benson to 100 hours of community service, required her to maintain employment, and ordered her to repay $6,383 for what was reported stolen.
Benson was also ordered to have no contact with victim, John Cuneo Jr., nor is she allowed to be employed in a job where her sole responsibility is to have access to finances, such as check books or credit cards,
Shanes said, while the charges against her were not crimes of violence, Benson “abused the trust of a senior citizen.”
“For the first time in your life, you will be considered a convicted felon,” Shanes said. “That is a very significant thing.”
Benson could have been sentenced to 15 years in prison after jurors convicted her in September 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 while employed as a personal assistant for Cuneo, the son of printing magnate and commercial real estate developer John Cuneo Sr.
Officials did not say previously how much it was believed Benson took from Cuneo while she worked as his administrative assistant.
Authorities said Benson was hired to oversee multiple checking accounts at Cuneo's various businesses. However, prosecutors said she used money and credit cards for purchases beyond the scope of her job authority between May 1 and Dec. 31, 2012.
“Clearly, the jury found she was overstepped her bounds while working for (Cuneo),” defense attorney Barry Boches said after the sentencing. “But, she'll make restitution and put this behind her.”