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Plea Deal in Monzo Theft Case Officially Accepted
FIRST REPORTED 3:00pm 5/4/10 A Galesburg woman and former elected official is set for jail now that a judge has officially accepted her guilty plea and negotiated sentence on what used to be felony charges.

Judge Stephen Mathers Tuesday morning accepted former Recorder Paula Monzo's plea to a misdemeanor charge of Theft -- reduced down from a felony charge as part of a plea deal.

Monzo was arrested last November after it was learned she stole $3,500 from the Knox County Democratic Central Committee over a one-year period while its treasurer.

Mathers' acceptance of the guilty plea was dependent on the Knox County Board accepting Monzo's letter of resignation last Wednesday -- which they did.

A negotiated sentence was officially accepted as well -- 14-days in the Knox County Jail with credit for two days served, 24-months of probation along with $4,200 in restitution, and 21-days of in-patient drug treatment.

Monzo claimed in police reports she took the money because she was having trouble paying bills and she had a drug problem. Special prosecutor Chuck Zalar says the drug treatment has already been completed.

$2,000 of the restitution was to be paid Tuesday, and it was.

Monzo's jail sentence begins at 6pm Tuesday. She made no statement as the sentence was officially imposed.

Deputy recorder Carol Hallam is taking over as recorder on an interim basis until the democrats can caucus and make a recommendation.


(Paula Monzo)
05 04 10 by Newsroom
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