Gambling Evidence Can Be Used in Illinois Fraud Trial of Health Official

The prosecution's case hinges on allegations that Schippert frequently spent work hours gambling at a local establishment while falsely reporting that she was performing her official dutiesImage Source: Shutterstock.com

A Kankakee County judgehas decided that the jury can hear evidence about Dee Ann Schippert‘s gambling habits. Schippert, who used to run the Iroquois County Public Health Department, faces over 30 felony charges. These charges relate to claims that she misused public money.

Gambling Ties Deemed Crucial in $100K Fraud Case Against Dee Schippert

Judge William Dickensonturned down a request from Schippert’s lawyers to keep gambling-related evidence out of the upcoming trial. Her defense team said this information was not relevant to the main accusations. However, the court did not agree. The judge thinks this evidence plays a key role in the prosecution’s case, reported The Ford County Chronicle.

Prosecutors from the Illinois Attorney General’s Officesay Schippert, 57, got over $100,000 between May 2020and July 2022. Court papers show she padded timesheets, made up overtime, and gave herself unapproved back pay. She faces 33 felony chargesin total, including stealing government money, faking documents, and abusing her position.

The state’s case centers on the claim that Schippertoften gambled at a local venueduring work hours while saying she was on the job. Investigators say she spent about 759 hours at Winnie’s Gaming Caféin Watsekaduring the time in question, 38 hours each month on average. The trial will show time-stamped video footage, cell phone and office communication records, and computer login data as proof. People are also set to speak about seeing her at the gaming establishment a lot when she should have been working.

Trial Judge Allows Gambling Details, Blocks LGBTQIA+ Talk in Case Against Former Official

Assistant Attorney General Haley Bookhoutinsists these materials are key to show that Schippertdid not do her job duties and lied about her work hours to make more money for herself.

In addition, the case involves claims of firing someone as payback. Prosecutors claim Schippertfired a worker in June 2022 after they told authorities about her alleged wrongdoing.

The judge said yesto allowing gambling evidence, but he also said yes to the defense’s request to ban any talk about Schippert’s personal thoughts onLGBTQIA+ issuesduring the trial. The prosecution did not object to this rule, and the court told both sides to ask for permission before bringing up such topics when questioning witnesses.

Schippertis still free under conditions set before the trial and keeps repeating that she is not guilty. There is a hearing set for August 20 to look again at whether the gambling evidence should be allowed, but they have not picked a date for the trial yet.