A former Winnebago County purchasing director was charged with two counts of embezzlement.
Sally Claassen was charged with taking at least $5,000 from county funds in 2014 and again last year. Court documents also sayClaassen must return more than $450,000 to federal authorities, but the indictment does not say exactly how much Claassen is accused of stealing.
Chuck Prorok is Claassen’s attorney. He says Claassen could face up to 10 years in prison for each charge, but there’s a potential for smaller sentencing with probation.
“Miss Claassen fully cooperated with the FBI in their investigation of this matter,” Prorok said.
Federal agents seized almost $300,000 from bank accounts belonging to Claassen and her husband last December. That’s after county officials turned its internal investigation over to the FBI last August.
County administrators have said Claassen used her county-issued credit card to buy about $60,000 worth of personal items. That includes resort vacations and kitchen renovations.
Claassen resigned from her position last September after being placed on administrative leave the month before. She ran the county’s Purchasing department for a little more than 18 years.
Prorok says Claassen’s arraignment is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.