Former IL Water Dept. Mgr. Pleads Guilty

The former manager of the Marion, Illinois Water Dept. pleaded guilty Wednesday to theft and embezzlement charges in US District Court.

Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton says 59-year-old Linda Heyde of Marion was manager of the city water department from 1996-May 2012. Her guilty pleas stem from a three-year time period:  May, 2009-April, 2012.

Heyde was suspected of stealing funds during that time, and an audit determined that over $500,000 was missing from the water department.

Heyde admitted to embezzling funds during that time period, but is contesting the dollar amount.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to ten years in prison for each count, a $250,000 fine, manditory restitution, and three years of probation.
 
Heyde is scheduled to be sentenced September 20, 2013.