A former Winnebago County purchasing director has pleaded guilty to federal counts of embezzlement after she was accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the government.
Federal prosecutors say 57-year-old Sally A. Claassen of Roscoe pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of theft from a program receiving federal funds. She's to be sentenced Sept. 13 and faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and $250,000 fine per charge plus restitution. A federal indictment demands she return more than $450,000.
Claassen ran the county's purchasing department from 1997 until she was placed on administrative leave in August. She resigned Sept. 11. County administrators accuse her of using her county-issued credit card to buy personal items, including resort vacations, kitchen cabinets and appliances for her home.
