Part 4 of a series: Geneva Patch takes a look at 10 fascinating people who played roles in the top stories of 2012, culminating with the announcement of Geneva Patch's 2012 "Person of the Year."
Whether the identification and conviction of former Geneva Streets & Fleets Superintendent Steve LeMaire was among the city's finest hours or its lowest is a matter of interpretation and point of view. Naysayers contend that it's silly to hand out credit cards to city department heads and not expect some abuse of the privilege. Folks of similar mind suggest that type of trust is emblematic of city government's propensity to let the tail wag the dog, taking city department heads' word as Gospel and advice as public policy. Proponents of the mayor and City Council don't tout it as such, but an argument could be made that the city system works and LeMaire's conviction is an example of honest, good government at work. A top-level employee …
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It doesn't take a legal scholar to figure out what the city offered Steve LeMaire.
Though I love Geneva, the one thing that drives me even crazier than some of you is how Mayor Kevin Burns and City Manager Mary McKittrick insist upon holding their cards so close to their chest. It’s kind of like that dysfunctional family where the parents gently pat the hand of the addled kindly rich aunt who lives with them as they say, “Don’t worry dear! We know what’s best for you! Just sign the check.” And so it is with the ongoing former Streets Superintendent Steve LeMaire saga. You may recall that LeMaire stands accused of using a city credit card to make $24,000 in unauthorized purchases between 2003 and 2011. Sadly, after 33 years on the job, for a mere $250 a month, LeMaire lost that job, will likely lose his six-figure pension…
State makes plea offer to former streets superintendent charged with using a city of Geneva credit card to make $24,000 in unauthorized purchases. The offer involves restitution of city funds.
The former Geneva streets superintendent accused of using a city credit to make more than $24,000 in unauthorized purchases will have his next day in court on May 24 in Courtroom 319 of the Kane County Judicial Center, 37W777 Route 38, St. Charles. During a status hearing held April 19 at the judicial center, it was mentioned in open court by the defense that the state has made a plea offer. An article in the Kane County Chronicle confirms that attorney Matthew Hachigian, who was representing LeMaire on behalf of attorney John Carbon, said the city has extended a plea offer that calls for some sort of restitution of funds. A Geneva Patch call to John Carbon's office was not returned. On March 7, LeMaire pleaded not guilty to charges of …
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Seven Essays: Thoughts about Steve LeMaire.
Steve LeMaire is one of the members of my Geneva High School graduating class of 1975. As you've seen in plenty of headlines, he's also the former Geneva streets superintendent who has been charged by a grand jury of bilking the city of more than $24,000 through purchases he made with his city of Geneva credit card. LeMaire has pleaded not guilty, and as this is written, the court case continues, with a next hearing scheduled for April 19. I didn't hang out with Steve in middle school or high school. But I knew him, and I liked him. He seemed easy-going and affable. In middle school, he was on the cusp of the popular crowd—at least, as I remember it after all these years—but he didn't seem aloof or "stuck up," in the vernacular of a …
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Former Geneva Streets Superintendent Steve LeMaire is facing official theft and misconduct charges for misuse of a city credit card.
Former Geneva Streets Superintendent Steve LeMaire will have his first day in court at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 7, in Room 319 of the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles. LeMaire was indicted by a grand jury on charges of theft, online theft by deception and official misconduct for allegedly making $24,000 worth of personal purchases on his city of Geneva credit card. He was put on unpaid administrative leave on Jan. 12 and was dismissed from his position on Feb. 4, after serving 33 years with the city. Public Works Director Dan Dinges discovered the suspicious spending after reviewing LeMaire's expenses while LeMaire was on vacation. The grand jury formally indicted LeMaire on Feb. 3. Theft is a Class 1 felony carrying a possible …
I'm still waiting for a reasonable response to the recent credit card theft revelations.
Almost immediately after the news broke, some friends called to say something along the lines of, “I bet you’re laughing out loud over this one!” You see, long before the thought of putting my thoughts in print had even occurred to me, former Geneva Streets Superintendent Steve LeMaire and I did not get along. The specific details are unimportant. Suffice it to say, I’m not always easy to get along with, and I’ve never been a big fan of an entitlement mentality. But despite that precipitating bad blood, there was no triumphant rush when I saw LeMaire’s mug shot. In fact, I was overwhelmed with a sense of despair for him and his family. This isn’t something I’d wish on my worst enemy. For just $250 a month—that’s what stealing $24,000 from …
8:10 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Ward doesn't like the school district held to the same standard as the city government. Gee, I wonder why? more ›
Geneva Streets Superintendent Steve LeMaire is formally indicted of theft, online deception and official misconduct.
Geneva Streets Superintendent Steve LeMaire has been taken into police custody and formally indicted on charges of theft, online theft by deception and Official Misconduct. On Friday (Feb. 3), a grand jury formally indicted LeMaire on the criminal charges listed below: LeMaire surrendered himself to the Geneva Police on Saturday, Feb. 4. While at the Police Department, he was processed, posted the required $2,500 bail and was then released from custody. The misuse of funds originally was discovered on Jan. 11, when Director of Public Works Dan Dinges was reviewing a monthly credit card statement and noticed purchases made by LeMaire that seemed suspicious. Past purchases were re-examined, revealing many additional purchases made by …
The Kane County state's attorney authorizes charges of theft, online theft and official misconduct against Geneva Streets Superintendent Steve LeMaire. As of Friday night, LeMaire has not surrendered himself to police.
The Kane County State's Attorney's Office has authorized felony charges against Geneva Streets Superintendent Steve LeMaire for making more than $24,000 worth of unauthorized credit card purchases. According to a press release issued by the Geneva Police Department at around 4:47 p.m., arrangements are being made to have LeMaire surrender himself to Geneva Police, at which time he will be processed for the charges. His bond is set at $25,000, meaning he will have to post 10 percent, or $2,500 bail. The State’s Attorney’s Office authorized the following criminal charges to be filed against LeMaire: The city of Geneva suspended LeMaire from work on Jan. 12 pending the outcome of an investigation related to suspicions that he had …
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10:51 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I find it hard to believe this guy would risk his job and pension for $3,000 a year, unless there was a culture of acceptance for this type of activity. Otherwise the leadership in that department is completely incompetent. How can you not track expenses for eight years? These are our tax dollars being stolen. I agree with other comments, that there needs to be a complete audit top to bottom by a… more ›
After announcing last week at city of Geneva Streets and Fleet superintendent Steve LeMaire is under investigation for misappropriation of city funds, the City Council Committee of the Whole will go to closed session Monday night to discuss a personnel ma
On Thursday (Jan. 19) the city of Geneva issued a press release saying Streets Superintendent Steve LeMaire is under investigation for misappropriation of funds. Tonight (Monday, Jan. 23), the City Council Committee of the Whole's agenda includes an executive session "on the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of an Employee of the Public Body." Geneva Police Chief Steve Mexin told the Daily Herald last week that he expected to wrap up the investigation "by next week." Speculation by anonymous sources was that the misappropriation might involve spending using a city of Geneva credit card. Both police and city of Geneva sources declined comment last week. No one has said yet how much money was taken…
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Internal and police investigations are pending against Steve LeMaire, Geneva's superintendent of streets and fleet.
City of Geneva Street Superintendent Steve LeMaire has been suspended from work pending an internal and police investigation into allegations that he misappropriated city funds. LeMaire has been on administrative leave without pay since Jan. 12, when city officials, in cooperation with Police Department detectives began the investigation. LeMaire is a 33-year employee of the city. Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, no additional information is available at this time. Upon completion of the investigation, a press release will be distributed. All questions regarding this matter should be directed to Chief Steve Mexin at the Geneva Police Department.
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Russell
7:52 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
What is inappropriate? Since the April 25 article, (by Jeff Ward), about Steve LeMaitre using his City of Geneva credit card for personal use, getting fired, and then pleading guilty. Several comments sent to the Geneva Patch asking questions, have been flagged as inappropriate. This is inappropriate! more ›