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County Recorder Pleads Not Guilty to Theft, Wants Bench Trial
UPDATED 4:39pm 1/26/10 A Galesburg woman accused of stealing money from the political party she's been affiliated with says she's innocent, but doesn't want a jury of her peers to decide her fate.

48-year old Knox County Recorder Paula Monzo was supposed be in Knox County Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon for a preliminary hearing on a felony charge of Theft Over $300, but she instead pleaded not guilty through Public Defender Karl Johnson, and also asked for a bench trial instead of a trial by jury.

Judge Paul Mangieri granted the preliminary hearing and jury trial waivers.

Monzo was arrested early last November, after officials with the Knox County Democratic Central Committee and their bank noticed what they described as discrepancies in the party's checking account.

Galesburg Police say Monzo, while acting as party treasurer, is accused of taking about $3,500 from the account over a one-year period. Police reports indicate she told investigators she had trouble paying bills and also had a cocaine addiction.

Monzo continues to work as County Recorder. She'll next be in court for a status hearing March 30th at 9:30am.

Both sides in the case agreed to a March 12th deadline for the prosecution to submit any discovery evidence in the case, and March 26th for any defense discovery.


(Paula Monzo)
01 26 10 by Newsroom
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