Attorney accused of vandalizing campaign signs in McHenry County

A Woodstock attorney accused of vandalizing and damaging campaign signs belonging to a McHenry County sheriff's candidate turned himself in to police on Wednesday night, according to jail records.

Robert T. Hanlon, 55, of the 3700 block of Beresford Drive in Woodstock, is charged with misdemeanor criminal damage to property of less than $500, according to a criminal complaint.

The attorney is accused of "damaging numerous campaign signs located at 770 S. Virginia Road" promoting Tony Colatorti, who is running for McHenry County sheriff, the criminal complaint said.

The damage consisted of two stickers put on the signs, Crystal Lake police Cmdr. Rick Neumann said. It was not known at the time exactly how many signs were damaged, Neumann said.

Hanlon, a supporter of Robb Tadelman, another candidate for McHenry County sheriff who is currently the agency's deputy chief of operations, posted bond and was released from McHenry County jail Wednesday evening, jail records show.

According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Hanlon donated $1,000 on Jan. 10 to Tadelman's campaign in the name of "Law Offices of Robert T. Hanlon and Assoc." He also has donated to past campaign funds of McHenry County Sheriff Bill Prim, who is not running for reelection and endorsed Tadelman.

On Thursday, the Colatorti campaign issued a news release that says multiple signs were "vandalized in Woodstock with libelous stickers" on Jan. 25.

Days later, more vandalized signs were found in Woodstock, Algonquin, Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills, according to Colatorti's release.

Tadelman is an 18-year veteran of the McHenry County sheriff's office.

Colatorti is an Algonquin restaurant owner with 22 years of law enforcement experience.

Attempts to reach Denise Ambroziak of Ambroziak & Associates, listed as Hanlon's attorney in court filings, Prim and Tadelman were not immediately successful.