Prosecutors Secure Guilty Plea in Theft From Charity

A former volunteer with a charity that provides toys for children during the holiday season pled guilty and was ordered to pay back the stolen money, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Carol Lisciandrello, 55, of Chicago, pled guilty to Theft and was sentenced to probation and to pay restitution of more than $25,000 to Toys for Tots.

According to prosecutors, between January 2009 and April 2011, Lisciandrello was a volunteer for Toys for Tots, and in her volunteer capacity assisted with the online sales of merchandise to raise funds for the organization.  While managing the online sales, Lisciandrello had those profits go to her Personal Pay Pal account, which she was then supposed to transfer to a Toys for Tots checking account.  Instead, Lisciandrello transferred the funds to a personal debit card, in the amount of $25,494.00 over the two years.

“To steal money from a reputable charity that provides toys to needy children is an unconscionable crime,” Alvarez said. “We are pleased with the outcome in this case that will force this defendant to repay all stolen funds.”

Lisciandrello pled guilty during a hearing today at the Bridgeview Courthouse before Judge Kerry Kennedy, who sentenced her to probation and to pay full restitution to the organization.

State’s Attorney Alvarez thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Mike O’Brien and Nancy Zarkos as well as the Bridgeview Police Department for their work on this case.