Ex-West Chicago church deacon expected to remain in jail
The ex-deacon of a West Chicago church beset with recent troubles will remain in jail this Easter weekend after being accused of stealing more than $315,000.
George Valdez had his first court appearance Thursday since being charged with raiding coffers at St. Mary's Parish for three years until last fall when the alleged theft scheme unraveled.
The 58-year-old West Chicago man also served as St. Mary's business manager.
DuPage Associate Judge Liam Brennan set a $300,000 bond, meaning Valdez must post the required 10 percent to be set free. His attorney, Nicholas Kirkeles, said Valdez learned of the police investigation several months ago and voluntarily surrendered Wednesday.
Valdez will not immediately post bail, Kirkeles said. But, if Valdez does, the judge ordered he must disclose the source of any funds to ensure they were legally obtained.
The arrest comes at an already difficult time for parishioners.
Rev. Alejandro Flores, 37, of Shorewood, is charged in Kane County with molesting a St. Charles boy for five years, beginning when the man was a seminarian at St. Mary's. The parish school also will close this summer due to a debt of nearly $730,000.
The theft scheme began to unravel last summer after the parish installed Rev. John Balluff as its new pastor and a routine audit was conducted. Valdez was fired shortly afterward.
Prosecutor Helen Kapas-Erdman said Valdez enjoyed "a lavish lifestyle" while issuing himself unauthorized fraudulent checks from St. Mary's bank account and running up the parish credit card to frequent White Sox and Bears games, stay overnight in hotels and for family medical coverage without monthly salary deductions.
Valdez faces six to 30 years in prison if convicted of theft over $100,000, continuing a financial crimes enterprise and wire fraud. He does not have a prior criminal record.
The married grandfather is due back in court April 7. Valdez also is barred from entering St. Mary's property should he post bail.