Geneva official charged with theft, misconduct

Felony charges of theft, online theft and official misconduct were filed Friday against Geneva streets division superintendent Steve LeMaire.

He is accused of making more than $24,000 in unauthorized purchases using city funds, dating back to 2004, according to Geneva police.

LeMaire, a 33-year employee of the city, was suspended Jan. 12. Geneva police investigated allegations of misuse of city funds.

LeMaire was indicted by a Kane County grand jury Friday. An arrest warrant was approved Friday by Kane County Circuit Judge Timothy Sheldon. Bail was set at $25,000, and arrangements are being made for LeMaire to turn himself in to Geneva police.

In a prepared statement, Geneva police said the suspected misuse of funds was discovered Jan. 11, when the public works director was reviewing a monthly credit card statement and noticed purchases by LeMaire “which seemed suspicious.”

The city then decided to examine past purchases, “revealing many other purchases made by Mr. LeMaire, which also seemed to be of a suspicious nature,” according to the statement. Some went back as far as 2004.

Police said LeMaire cooperated with the investigation.

LeMaire, 55, lives in Elburn. He could not be reached for comment.

The streets division is part of Geneva’s public works department. It is responsible for maintaining streets, sidewalks and alleys, as well as parkway trees.

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns declined to give any details of the investigation.

“Details of this case will eventually come out through the efforts of the state’s attorney’s office and prosecution,” Burns said.

Burns said the city will try to recover the $24,000.

“As for LeMaire’s employment’s status, that will be determined by Monday,” Burns said.

The mayor also said the city has already begun to revamp internal controls on credit card use and spending.

If convicted of the official misconduct charge, LeMaire would forfeit his job. And according to Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund rules, if convicted, he will lose his pension.

According to court records, “on or about” Feb. 15, 2006, LeMaire “knowingly obtained government funds” of more than $10,000 but less than $100,000; that he used the Internet to buy property in excess of $300, from multiple sellers, via unauthorized transactions on a city account; and that he did so knowing it was illegal.

The charges are punishable by two to 15 years in prison.