Former County Employee Indicted on Theft Charges

State’s Attorney Richard A. Devine today announced indictments against a former employee of the Cook County Assessor’s office for diverting funds and stealing nearly $170,000 for personal expenditures. 

Joyce Pierce, 51, of 10714 S Rhodes Avenue was indicted on charges of Theft, Official Misconduct, and Continuing Financial Crimes Enterprise.  If convicted she faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

“She broke the public trust” Devine said. “We hope this charge puts others in government on notice that we will be watching and will bring charges against public employees who use county funds as their personal piggy bank.”

The indictment alleges from November of 2002 through November 2005, Pierce stole money from a fund in the Assessor’s office collected from Freedom of Information Act requests.  Pierce allegedly used the money to pay for shopping trips to Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, and Nordstrom’s department stores.  She also used the funds to pay a portion of her daughter’s college tuition.

The Assessor’s Office contacted the State’s Attorney’s Government and Financial Crimes Unit who conducted a joint investigation with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

“We take the public trust very seriously and are cooperating fully with the investigation,” Cook County Assessor James Houlihan said. “We have taken steps to make sure that this sort of problem doesn’t happen again. It’s important that the public have complete trust that their tax dollars are being closely monitored,” added Houlihan.

Judge Clayton Crane set bond at $110,000. Pierce plead not guilty to all charges. Her next court date is September 24th at 2650 S. California Avenue.

# # #