Misconduct charges reveal deep split in Island Lake

The newly filed official misconduct charges against former Island Lake Mayor Tom Hyde and his wife, Sharon, drew very different reactions from members of the village board.

Their comments reflect the deep political divide in a small town that's earned countless headlines through the years for political malfeasance by its elected leaders.

Sharon Hyde is accused of collecting more than $100,000 in pay for hours she did not work as director of Creative Playtime, a village-run preschool. She is charged with theft of government property, official misconduct and making false entries.

Tom Hyde is charged with official misconduct and having a prohibitive interest in contracts for voting as a trustee and mayor to pay his wife.

The charges were announced Wednesday. Some trustees applauded the Lake County state's attorney's office for investigating what prosecutors said was a decade-old payroll scam.

"For a long time, something fishy's been going on," said newly elected Trustee Laurie Rabattini, an outspoken critic of Tom Hyde and his allies on the board. "I praise the state's attorney for finally paying attention to our little town."

Her comments were echoed by fellow Trustee John Ponio, who said he tried to raise public awareness of the Hydes' actions during his recently unsuccessful bid for the mayor's post.

"I think everyone's been aware of (the situation)," said Ponio, who was defeated by now-Mayor Debbie Herrmann in April.

The Hydes have supporters on the village board, too. New Trustee Donna O'Malley, who ran on Herrmann's candidate slate, said prosecutors should be pursuing "drug lords" instead of the ex-mayor and his wife.

"Shame on the people who are going after them for this," O'Malley said. "I back the Hyde family 100 percent. These are good people."

Herrmann's backing the Hydes, too. She called Sharon Hyde " a model citizen" and said she doesn't know what the case is about.

Two other trustees, Connie Mascillino and Don Verciglio, declined to comment. Both ran with Herrmann in April.

Trustee Don Saville, who has publicly called attention to Creative Playtime for years, declined to comment, too.

The Hydes, both of whom have been released on bond, could not be reached for comment. On Wednesday, their attorney said the Hydes followed proper payroll procedures.

Tom Hyde was mayor from 2005 to last month and previously served as a trustee.

His tenure as the village's boss included a great deal of political turmoil and the arrests of several officials, including former mayor Charles Amrich, former village clerk Christine Becker and former trustee Rich Garling.

Hyde is facing additional charges in a separate criminal case in which he's accused of illegally altering a liquor license.

The village board is scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. tonight at village hall, 3720 Greenleaf Ave.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=299796">Former Island Lake mayor, wife charged in payroll scam<span class="date">[6/10/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>