Former Lake County coroner denied request to expunge criminal record
A judge denied a request by former Lake County Coroner Richard Keller to expunge or seal his criminal record in a drug-related death involving the Waukegan methadone clinic he ran.
Keller, 63, made the request to Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes because he said the 2011 criminal case that resulted in Keller pleading guilty to delivery of a controlled substance and obstruction of justice had made it hard for him to hold a job or find a place to live.
"I need to change jobs, and I'm trying to move, but I can't get a new apartment," he said Friday. "This conviction shouldn't be a life sentence."
Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Scott Hoffert objected to the request by quoting former Judge John Phillips, who said during a 2011 hearing that Keller's conviction was "the ultimate betrayal of trust."
Shanes agreed, saying not enough time has passed from the day Keller pleaded guilty to Friday's request for expungement.
"It's been a few years, but it's only been a few years," Shanes said.
Outside court, Keller said he was disappointed over the decision. He also said he would give it more time and try again.
"I'm not doing well right now," he said. "I had hoped this could get sealed today."
Keller was elected county coroner in 2004 and was a licensed physician for more than 30 years. In October 2008, Keller also became medical director of the Green Dragonfly methadone clinic near downtown Waukegan.
Two months later, 30-year-old Steven Vaughn of Lindenhurst died hours after mixing methadone he had received at the clinic with Xanax he was taking illegally.
Former Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller, whose office conducted the investigation in cooperation with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the state Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said Keller "exercised bad judgment in opening a methadone clinic" without experience or training and began "issuing numerous prescriptions to people without any medical need for them."
Keller was sentenced to probation and fines. He resigned his post as Lake County corner after the hearing and relinquished his medical license.
Keller was also placed on 24 months' probation, was ordered to pay a $500 fine and make contributions of $2,000 to Lake County Crime Stoppers and $2,500 to the Lake County drug court program. He was also ordered to completed drug testing, counseling and 100 public service hours.
His probation ended in November 2012.