Skokie forger gets 2 years

A Skokie man accused of passing fake payroll checks at banks throughout the Chicago area was sentenced to two years in prison Tuesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Robert Rudman, 36, pleaded guilty to forgery during a hearing before Circuit Judge John Phillips.

Rudman admitted he cashed a check for $889 - it was made to appear to be a payroll check from a Gurnee company - at the National City Bank in Bannockburn on Sept. 27, 2008.

Assistant State's Attorney Steven Derue said the check was one of several Rudman cashed at banks in Cook, McHenry, Lake and DuPage counties during September 2008.

Rudman, who told police he used the money to support a drug habit, was caught in Cook County in late 2008, Derue said.

Investigators from the neighboring counties compared notes after Rudman's arrest and charges were filed against him in the other jurisdictions.

Derue said Rudman has also pleaded guilty in Cook and McHenry counties, and was sentenced to two years in prison each time.

Rudman is due to appear in DuPage County court on July 7 to answer to forgery charges there, Derue said.