Ex-Warrenville alderman gets 5 years for theft scams

Christopher Halley, who went from being a Warrenville alderman to a twice-convicted felon in a span of two years, blamed his most recent arrest on alcohol and gambling.

On Tuesday, a DuPage County judge encouraged him to seek help — in prison.

Halley, 28, was sentenced to 5 years for stealing a friend’s $700 watch and conning a fledgling Naperville poker business out of $5,500. Judge George Bakalis noted the crimes occurred while Halley was still on probation from an earlier conviction.

“The purpose of probation is to give you the assistance you need,” Bakalis told him. “This takes away the whole purpose.”

In a statement to the court, Halley said he had been unwilling to admit he had problems with drinking and gambling until he went to group meetings in the county jail following his most recent arrest in November. He asked the judge to “give me a chance,” saying he was determined to get treatment if given another shot at probation.

“I’ve made some very poor decisions due to my problems with alcohol and gambling,” he said. “I’m truly sorry.”

Halley was elected to the Warrenville city council in 2007 and resigned in October 2010 after he pleaded guilty to felony theft charges. He had been accused of conning several acquaintances with promises of Chicago Bears and Blackhawks tickets, and the opportunity to rub elbows with political heavyweights such as former President George W. Bush.

In the earlier case, prosecutors said Halley used his position as an elected official to warm up to his victims, telling them, “I’m an alderman. You can trust me.” He agreed to resign the post when he was convicted.

In the most recent case, Halley was accused of taking a $700 watch from a friend’s West Chicago-area home. Assistant State’s Attorney William Wu said Halley sold the watch at a pawnshop, then bought it back and put it in the victim’s mailbox after police started asking questions.

He also agreed to sell $5,500 worth of poker tables, chairs, chips and other supplies to two men starting a business in Naperville that would facilitate charity poker tournaments. Wu said Halley pocketed the money but never came through with the goods.

“Essentially, since the time the defendant committed his first offense in July 2009 through his most recent offense in August 2011, the defendant committed four felonies,” Wu said, arguing for a 7-year sentence. “That’s a felony every six months.”

Halley agreed to pay $6,200 in restitution. Bakalis said he should be able to get help with his problems through programs in prison.

By law, Halley must serve at least 2½ years. He has already served about five months in the county jail.