Palatine man denies stealing customer list from Vernon Hills firm

A Palatine man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he deprived a Vernon Hills company of close to $2 million in profits by stealing their customer list.

Thomas Bacino, 54, faces a mandatory prison sentence of four to 15 years if convicted of felony theft.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Brett Henne said Bacino, of the 900 block of Park Place Drive, managed the 8-million name customer database for Cosmetique, 200 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills, between 1989 and 2001.

Sometime around 1996, Henne said, Bacino copied the customer list, set up a fake company of his own and began renting the names and addresses on the list to direct marketing firms.

Company officials learned Bacino had taken the list through an internal investigation, Henne said, and referred the case to Vernon Hills police.

The company estimates it lost $1.95 million in profits it could have made had Bacino rented their customer information legitimately, Henne said.

Police claim Bacino admitted to certain aspects of his operation during questioning, but disputes some of the allegations, Henne said.

Associate Judge George Bridges scheduled a trial of the case for Sept. 8 and ordered Bacino, who was released after posting $25,000 for bond, to appear in court Aug. 11.