11 Ford Heights Officials, Employees Charged in Illegal Fund Use

FORD HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) — Eleven current and former Ford Heights officials and municipal employees have been charged with allegedly misusing village funds, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Friday.

According to Raoul, the defendants allegedly used public money to cover airfare, hotel stays and costly outings during personal casino trips to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Michigan City, Indiana.

“Elected officials and civil servants are rightfully held to a higher standard, making it especially egregious when someone in power intentionally steals from the taxpayers they are supposed to be serving,” Raoul said. He thanked the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and investigators from his office for their work on the case.

Investigators with Raoul’s Criminal Division, assisted by Cook County sheriff’s officers, served a search warrant Thursday at Ford Heights Municipal Hall.

Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart called the alleged conduct an abuse of power that betrayed Ford Heights residents, who deserve public officials committed to honesty and integrity. Dart also praised the attorney general for pursuing the investigation and said his office was proud to help make the arrests.

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Prosecutors have filed nearly 80 felony counts, including theft of governmental property and official misconduct, against the following individuals:

– Antone Adams, 59, of Chicago Heights, Illinois
– Annie R. Coulter, 74, of Ford Heights (former mayor)
– Nyree D. Ford, 53, of Ford Heights (village clerk)
– Allis Franklin, 78, of Ford Heights
– Mary Matthews Graziano, 65, of Ford Heights
– Johnny A. Griffin, 67, of Ford Heights (current village trustee)
– Scottie L. Hatten, 38, of Hazel Crest, Illinois (former village trustee)
– LaDell L. Jones, 61, of Ford Heights (former village trustee)
– Dedra D. Lee, 65, of Ford Heights
– Antoina T. McMichales, 56, of Ford Heights (former village trustee)
– James E. Morgan, 48, of Ford Heights (current village trustee)

Ford Heights has faced ongoing financial difficulties and has operated without its own police department since 2008. Former Mayor Charles Griffin resigned two years ago after he was convicted of stealing public funds.

The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 30.