State Crime Reports

Broadview Village Trustee Charged With Forgery, Loan Fraud, Official Misconduct


Chicago, IL-(ENEWSPF)- A Trustee from the Village of Broadview, Judy Hargrett, 35, of Broadview, appeared in court today to face charges for allegedly falsifying her pay stubs to obtain a car loan from a local car dealership, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Judy Hargrett, 35, of Broadview, who has been a Village of Broadview trustee since April 2011, has been charged with Forgery (Class 3 felony), Loan Fraud (Class 3 Felony) and Official Misconduct (Class 3 Felony). If convicted, Hargrett faces up to five years in prison.

According to prosecutors, in March of last year Hargrett and her husband went to a Broadview car dealership to a used car. During the sale, the defendant was told by a salesman that she and her husband would need proof of income. Hargrett told the salesman that if she could use his computer she could provide proof of income. The salesman left her alone with his computer and a short time later she provided him with two pay stubs from the Village of Broadview. The car purchase was completed and Hargrett and her husband left the dealership with a car.

The alleged fraud was discovered when a representative from the loan finance company contacted a village clerk in Broadview to verify Hargrett’s income. After being informed that Hargrett was a trustee, the clerk stated that the defendant’s income was $300 per month, not the $2,800 per month salary amount that Hargrett had falsely indicated on her loan application. The salesman also indicated that Hargrett had provided proof of income with paystubs from the Village of Broadview.

The fraudulent paystubs were reviewed by officials from the Village of Broadview and it was determined that they were not legitimate, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez. While the village address and logo were correct, the format and information contained in the document did not accurately show Hargrett’s true salary from the Village of Broadview. Village officials then contacted the police. The car was repossessed the next day and returned to the dealership.

Hargrett appeared in court today and was given a personal recognizance bond. The next court date is March 21.

The public is reminded that criminal charging documents contain allegations that are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the state has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.


ARCHIVES