Money Is Missing After Death Of Former Food Pantry Exec
(CBS) – Just months after disgraced former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert was sentenced, yet another scandal is now rocking the town of Yorkville.
CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, this one centers around a food pantry and its beloved former director.
Maria Spaeth died June 21 shortly after resigning from the Kendall County Food Pantry, located 50 miles southwest of Chicago.
"Everybody was shocked by that," says Rick Bill.
He's talking about news that money -- possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars -- may have been stolen from the pantry.
"I can't tell you what the amount is. I don't know if it's $200,000. I don't know if it's 50 bucks."
Bill recently took over as co-director of the charity and was shocked to find out authorities were investigating the pantry's former executive director, Spaeth.
Shortly after the investigation began this summer, she died of drug intoxication.
"Maria was a wonderful person and her heart was in exactly what we have here at the pantry," Bill says.
Bill says the thought that anyone would steal from the pantry is gut-wrenching.
"If that is what happened, then let's let due process move its way and let's try to get our money back," he says.
The deputy chief of the Yorkville Police Department says the case is pending and is being handled by special prosecutor.
Since the investigation began, the pantry has a new name, a new board and new checks-and-balances to avoid any future misappropriations of funds.
