East St. Louis mayor defends hiring woman facing charges
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - The mayor of East St. Louis, Illinois is defending the hiring of the city's new community development director who is facing two fraud charges.
June Hamilton-Dean is charged with bank fraud for telling First Illinois Bank that she was authorized by the East St. Louis Township Board to take out a $200,000 loan. The money was to fund a youth employment program.
In addition to the $73,000 a year community development post, Hamilton-Dean will also serve as East St. Louis' tax increment financing director and oversee a department with a budget of $12 million.
Hamilton-Dean is a former East St. Louis city councilwoman and former financial consultant for East St. Louis Township. She was among seven public officials arrested in December 2016 on corruption charges.
Mayor Robert Eastern III said Friday he is monitoring the legal case involving Hamilton-Dean and if warranted, "we will re-evaluate the position."