Warren Twp. cheer group's ex-treasurer admits to theft

The former treasurer of a Warren Township cheerleading group admitted Thursday to stealing money from the organization.

But although Mary Lee Puccio pleaded guilty to theft, it remains to be determined exactly how much she stole.

Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop told Circuit Judge John Phillips the parties to the case cannot agree on how much Puccio took from the Warren Township Cheer and Pom Program between 2003 and 2006.

Puccio told police she believes it was somewhere around $8,000, while Bishop said the organization is missing between $30,000 and $35,000.

Bishop said Puccio wrote about 35 checks to herself and the organization lost other funds through fees that were not paid.

Phillips told Bishop to meet with Puccio's attorney and representatives of the organization to try to determine what Puccio must pay back.

Phillips scheduled a hearing on the restitution for Jan. 17.

The program provides cheerleading coaching, training and the opportunity to compete against other cheer groups in Lake County and across the country.

Charles Smith, the Waukegan attorney representing the group, said more than 270 girls from ages 5 to 14 participated in the program last year.

Phillips placed Puccio, of 1421 W. Lawn Ave. in Warren Township, on probation for 30 months and ordered her to write a letter of apology to the children involved in the program.

He also barred her from doing anything connected to cheerleading during the time she is on probation.

If convicted after a trial, Puccio could have faced up to seven years in prison.