Zion Woman pleads not guilty to altering documents to help people she knew
A second former Lake County circuit court clerk's office employee has pleaded not guilty to charges she altered electronic and paper records in criminal and civil cases to help people she knew.
Leticia Gonzalez, 45, of the 1000 block of Shiloh Boulevard in Zion, faces up to five years in prison if found guilty on the eight counts of official misconduct, authorities said Thursday.
Her sister, Veronica Ventura, 41, of the 1400 block of Larelei Drive in Zion, faces a similar prison sentence after she pleaded not guilty to two counts of official misconduct Wednesday.
The sisters are accused of changing documents dating back to 2010 while working as clerks at the office.
Authorities said the altered documents were uncovered during an internal audit. The U.S. Secret Service field office in Chicago and the Lake County state's attorney's office participated in the investigation into Gonzalez's actions, authorities said.
Ventura is free from Lake County jail after posting the required 10 percent of her $50,000 bail. Gonzalez is free after posting 10 percent of her $20,000 bail.
Gonzalez's trial is scheduled for Aug. 22. She is due back to court June 14 for a case management conference.