Aurea Picasso, Former Hanover Township, Illinois Welfare Director Sentenced to Six Years in Prison: article Aug 03 2011

Hanover Township, Ill. - Aurea Picasso, the former welfare director of northwest suburban Hanover Township pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing more than $193,110 in funds for dental work, car insurance, cell phones and her daughter’s ‘Sweet 16’ birthday party.

Picasso, 45, formerly of Aurora, pled guilty to one count of theft of government funds over $100,000 and sentenced to six years in prison during a court appearance on Wednesday, according to a release from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

Picasso served as welfare director for Hanover Township from 2003 until 2009, the release said. The department was responsible for providing welfare checks to the needy and also ran a food pantry.

Picasso had access to the township’s checkbooks as well as an additional checking account provided by the Salvation Army for emergency situations, the release said. She allegedly wrote $124,560 in checks from these accounts to pay for dental work, car insurance, cell phones, and expenses for her daughter’s ‘Sweet 16’ birthday party.

She is also accused of enrolling family, friends, and others for welfare benefits, forging their signatures and depositing the $68,550 worth of funds in her bank account, the release said.

In 2009, when a new administration took over, officials became suspicious that funds had been diverted and contacted the state’s attorney’s office, the release said.

Picasso is alleged to have stolen $193,110 in township funds, the release said.

In October 2010, Picasso was arrested a day before she was scheduled to be released on parole from Dwight Correctional Facility where she has been serving a prison sentence for an unrelated identity theft case.

# Sun-Times Media Wire; Published : Wednesday, 03 Aug 2011