Ex-Elgin Police Explorer Post leader gets probation, gambling counseling for theft
The former leader of the Elgin Police Explorer Post pleaded guilty Thursday to a reduced misdemeanor charge of stealing from the post over a 2½-year period and was sentenced to probation and gambling addiction counseling.
James E. Rog, 36, of Elgin, who also served as the civilian animal control officer for Elgin police for 14 years, was arrested in January and charged with two counts each of theft and official misconduct, both felonies.
In a plea agreement accepted by Judge James Hallock, Rog pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and was sentenced to conditional discharge, which is a form of probation. He also paid $6,063.78 to the city of Elgin in restitution and must receive treatment for gambling addiction, prosecutors said.
Kane County prosecutors said that between July 2012 and November 2015, Rog stole more than $6,000 from the post while serving as its leader. The stolen money was taken from membership dues from some 50 participants ages 14 to 20 and fundraising efforts, and was supposed to be spent on post-related functions, authorities said.
Rog opened a bank account with a debit card for the post, and he was the only person with access to the card, prosecutors said.
Rog took money from the account using the debit card and spent it on lottery scratch-off tickets, according to prosecutors.
Rog, who had no previous criminal record and was the department's Civilian of the Year in 2014, has resigned from his position.
As part of the sentence, Rog must undergo a gambling addiction evaluation within 45 days and follow all recommendations.
Rog is next due in court on July 21 to present proof of the evaluation.
Elgin police learned Nov. 4, 2015, of an unauthorized account that was opened in March 2012 and being used by the explorer post. The city audited the post's finances, in part because of the case of Fox Lake police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz.
Gliniewicz stole from the Fox Lake department's Explorer post and later staged his own suicide as part of a cover-up.
"Mr. Rog betrayed the public trust by his actions," said Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon. "Almost immediately upon the discovery of the financial irregularities, Police Chief Jeff Swoboda and his staff were in contact with us. Their professionalism and transparency throughout this process have gone far to preserve the department's integrity and fine reputation."
Defense attorney Todd Cohen said his client logged 14 years of service with the city and was cooperative in the investigation. Rog has been seeking treatment through Gambling Anonymous and has not visited a casino or bought a lottery ticket since his arrest, Cohen said.
"It was a good disposition for everyone," Cohen said. "Rog was cooperative and completely honest with police."
If Rog violates his probation, he could be resentenced to up to 364 days in jail. The original charges against Rog carried a maximum prison term of five years.