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Ex-Madison County treasurer loses $90,000 pension

EDWARDSVILLE — A former southern Illinois county treasurer who was convicted of rigging tax liens has lost his $90,000 state-funded pension.

The Belleville News Democrat reports that ex-Madison County Treasurer Fred Bathon’s pension was halted by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

The 58-year-old Bathon pleaded guilty in February to rigging 2005-2009 tax lien auctions so political donors could profit from inflated penalties paid by property owners. He was sentenced Dec. 6 to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $20,000 fine.

IMRF general counsel Kathleen O’Brien sent Bathon a letter on Dec. 10 informing him his pension had been stopped.

Bathon’s attorney, Clyde Kuehn, said his client does not plan to appeal that decision.

Bathon may ask for a refund of the $118,355 he contributed to his pension.

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