Madison County probation officer charged with stealing money from woman's purse
A longtime Madison County probation officer stole cash from an 85-year-old woman's purse at a Troy store, according to charges in an indictment issued Thursday.
Richard Asperger, an $89,000-a-year administrator in the probation department, was charged with felony theft for allegedly stealing $355 from the woman's purse Nov. 22 after she left it in a cart at a Walgreens store.
The case is being handled by a special prosecutor from outside Madison County: Charles Zalar of the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's Office.
Police got involved after the woman realized her purse was missing.
"He told the police that he saw money blowing around the parking lot, and kids running after it," Zalar said. "The evidence, in the form of a surveillance videotape of the parking lot, contradicts that."
Asperger's attorney, Ron Slemer, said Thursday he's known Asperger for many years, beginning when Asperger was a police officer in Madison.
"I'm looking forward to reviewing the evidence here," Slemer said.
Asperger's title is human services administrator. On Thursday morning, before the indictment was issued, Judy Dallas, head of the probation department, declined to give specifics about Asperger's employment status.
"I really can't talk about his status. He is on the payroll," Dallas said.
She added, "There are HIPAA laws." Dallas was referring to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act laws governing medical information about people.
Slemer said Asperger, 53, has "some health problems" and has been on a medical leave of absence from work. Slemer declined to elaborate, except to say the health problem does not affect Asperger's mental health.
Dallas is Asperger's immediate supervisor, but probation officers technically are employees of the state, and are employed at the discretion of the circuit court.
Dallas issued a statement Thursday afternoon, saying she and Chief Judge Ann Callis are "planning prompt and appropriate action" regarding Asperger's employment status.
Asperger has worked for the probation department for more than 25 years.
Circuit Judge Charles Romani Jr. set Asperger's bail at $5,000. Asperger, with Slemer at his side, surrendered Thursday afternoon at the Troy Police Department. The defendant was booked and fingerprinted, then released after posting the required $500 in cash for bond, said Troy Detective James Newcombe, who investigated the case.
Asperger is charged with theft of more than $300 and obstructing justice, both felonies. Felony theft, the more serious of the two charges, carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, though probation is also a sentencing option.
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