No prison for ex-Woodridge cop who stole from police charity
A former Woodridge cop who fled the state after stealing from a charity for families of fallen police officers was spared prison Thursday by a DuPage County judge.
Scott Webb, 40, had faced up to seven years after pleading guilty to felony theft in April. Judge Kathryn Creswell sentenced him to two years of probation, time served and full restitution.
The ruling followed a three-hour hearing at which Webb was alternately described as “greedy and selfish” and the kind of community police officer who would “bend over backward” to help anybody. The judge cited several awards and commendations Webb received and said she believed he was truly remorseful.
“All of the information presented shows that prior to this offense the defendant led an exemplary, law-abiding life,” Creswell said. “It would appear this conduct was an aberration from what otherwise has been a life of helping other people.”
Several of Webb's supporters seated in the courtroom rejoiced as Creswell imposed the sentence. Moments earlier, Webb had confessed and apologized before the judge.
“I have no one to blame but myself,” he said, wiping away tears. “I disappointed a lot of people. I violated their trust.”
Prosecutors said Webb took about $30,000 from pub crawl fundraisers he helped organize for the Concerns of Police Survivors in 2009 and 2010. The money raised by the Woodridge Police Association was supposed to help families grappling with the loss of officers who died on the job.
State's attorney investigator Cheryl York testified that bank records showed Webb was living well beyond his means and facing default on four mortgages and several vehicle loans when he took the money. She said records also showed he used proceeds from a 2007 fundraiser to buy a Saab convertible, then took out a loan to repay the amount several months later.
Webb came under investigation after the nonprofit did not receive proceeds from the annual fundraiser for two years in a row. Mark Hannan, a former federal agent and volunteer with the organization, said the group hesitated to ask for the money because one of the officers most involved with the fundraiser, Sgt. David Krupka, was battling cancer at the time. Once Webb was confronted, prosecutors said, he falsely claimed he gave some of the funds to Krupka, who had since died.
“That was one of his stories,” said Assistant State's Attorney Helen Kapas in seeking a 6-year prison term. She said Webb actually used the money “as his own personal slush fund,” which he tapped to eat at upscale restaurants and hang out at bars.
After his indictment last May, Webb arranged to surrender but instead withdrew $16,000 from his bank account and fled to Branson, Mo, where he lived under an alias for five months. When police caught up with him, he had taken steps to conceal his truck and was in possession of a loaded hand gun, marijuana and bundles of cash, according to prosecutors.
Defense attorney Jim Ryan argued Webb was a “good man who made a terrible mistake.” For years, he said, Webb had been a driving force behind the fundraisers, which collectively raised $90,000, and was active with the Woodridge Jaycees.
The defense also presented the judge with 16 letters describing Webb's record of community involvement and efforts to care for friends and family members in need.
“He's humiliated,” Ryan said in arguing for probation. “He's lost a job he loved. His family has been brought to shame. He's a felon for the rest of his life.”
Webb, of Romeoville, was a police officer in Woodridge for nearly 12 years and also had worked as a part-time officer in south suburban Hometown . He had been in the county jail since October and was expected to be released immediately.