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Former University Administrator Charged In Alleged Ghost Payroll Scheme

(CBS) – A mother and daughter are caught with their hand in the cookie jar, accused of stealing money from Chicago State University.

They got rich, while taxpayers paid the price, CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports.

LaShondra Peebles and her mother, Shirley Kyles, said nothing as they walked Thursday through the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

Peebles is accused of orchestrating a ghost payrolling scheme to benefit her mother to the tune of nearly $4,500. Peebles worked at Chicago State University's Cook Administration Building. After more than 3,000 applicants applied for a part-time job, she hired her mother, never disclosing the new hire was a family member.

"No work was done at the university. Nobody knew who this person was," Tom Wogan of Chicago State University said. "The department where she supposedly worked -- nobody had ever seen her before."

In her role as vice president of enrollment management, prosecutors say Peebles had access to a variety of accounts to carry out her crimes.

Prosecutors say Peebles also pushed through a consulting contract that required higher approval, so her husband's friend could benefit. The total take was a little over $4,700.

Peebles and her mother could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

Peebles' lawyer says the current indictment was brought to destroy Peebles' credibility.  She filed a lawsuit against CSU in February, claiming a supervisor told her to backdate a million-dollar contract.

Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez says Peebles' dispute with the university has nothing to do with the criminal charges brought against her.

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