Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged Jacalyn Walker, a former employee from the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s office, with theft and wire fraud. Walker, 35, from Carlinville, is accused of stealing several thousand dollars from the drug asset forfeiture account while working as the office manager.
Raoul’s office charged Walker with one count of theft of government property less than $10,000, a Class 2 felony with a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison. Additionally, she faces five counts of wire fraud and six counts of official misconduct, which are Class 3 felonies that can result in up to five years in prison. Sentences would be served concurrently, pending court determination. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 13.
Attorney General Raoul emphasized, "My office regularly partners with state’s attorneys around Illinois to protect residents from individuals who prey upon children, traffic drugs and guns, and so much more. It is unacceptable that someone would take advantage of their position to steal funding recovered as state’s attorneys protect communities from illicit drugs.”
Walker is alleged to have transferred $7,000 from the office’s drug asset forfeiture account to her personal checking account without authorization between November 2023 and May 2024. The charges come after an investigation by the Illinois State Police Division of Special Investigations.
ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly commented on the investigation, stating, "During our investigation, the ISP Special Investigations Unit found evidence of a public official trying to steal thousands of dollars from the county. The public must be able to trust their public funds are safe and used as intended."
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Mara Somlo under Raoul’s Public Integrity Bureau. The public is reminded that Walker is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.