Prosecutors: Welfare Director Stole Nearly $200K

UPDATED 10/25/10 11:48 a.m.

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (CBS) - A former welfare services director from the northwest suburbs has been charged with stealing nearly $200,000 from a food pantry fund and other accounts just as she was to be released from prison on an unrelated charge.

Aurea Picasso, 45, formerly of Aurora, has been charged with theft from a government entity in connection with her former job with Hanover Township.

Investigators determined that Picasso allegedly stole from the township, its food pantry fund and a Salvation Army account the township could access during emergencies, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.

She allegedly stole $193,110 when she was working as welfare services director between 2003 and 2009, according to the State's Attorney's office.

Picasso allegedly used the funds for personal use, including dental work, car insurance, cell phones and bills for her daughter's "Sweet 16" party, a State's Attorney's release said.

As director of the township, which is headquartered in unincorporated Bartlett, Picasso had access to township checkbooks, as well as a checking account provided by the Salvation Army for emergencies.

She allegedly wrote $124,560 in checks from these accounts to pay personal expenses. She is also accused of enrolling families, friends and others for welfare benefits through the township.

When those checks were processed, she would forge the signatures and deposit the funds in her personal account, allowing her to steal an additional $68,550, the release said.

In 2009, a new administration took over in Hanover Township and officials became suspicious that funds had been diverted, the release said. Officials contacted the state's attorney's Public Corruption and Financial Crimes unit and an investigation was initiated.

Picasso denied to the Daily Herald that she ever stole money in her capacity as welfare services director. She has been in custody for an unrelated identity theft case at the Dwight Correctional Facility.

Picasso was charged as part of Operation Cookie Jar, an investigation by the State's Attorney's office targeting government employees accused in thefts and other financial crimes.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

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