Woman pleads guilty to stealing $193K from Hanover Township

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Aurea Picasso, 45, formerly of Aurora, pled guilty to one count of theft of government funds over $100,000 and was sentenced to six years in prison, according to a release from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Updated: November 16, 2011 1:45AM

The former welfare director of Hanover Township pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing more than $193,110 in funds for dental work, car insurance, cell phones and her daughter’s Sweet 16 birthday party.

Aurea Picasso, 45, formerly of Aurora, pled guilty to one count of theft of government funds over $100,000 and was sentenced to six years in prison, according to a release from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Picasso served as welfare director for Hanover Township from 2003 until 2009, the release said. The department was responsible for providing welfare checks to the needy and also ran a food pantry.

Picasso had access to the township’s checkbooks as well as an additional checking account provided by the Salvation Army for emergency situations, the release said. She allegedly wrote $124,560 in checks from these accounts to pay for dental work, car insurance, cell phones, and expenses for her daughter’s‘Sweet 16’ birthday party.

She also is accused of enrolling family, friends and others for welfare benefits, forging their signatures and depositing the $68,550 worth of funds in her bank account, the release said.

In 2009, when a new administration took over, officials became suspicious that funds had been diverted and contacted the state’s attorney’s office, the release said.

Picasso was arrested on the Hanover Township charges in October 2010, a day before she was scheduled to be released on parole from Dwight Correctional Facility, where she has been serving a prison sentence for an unrelated identity theft case.

Hanover Township Supervisor Brian McGuire issued the following statement following the sentencing hearing:

“We are pleased that the case is now closed and that Ms. Picasso has been convicted of stealing from those who needed help the most.

“Since discovery of this theft, the township has made numerous changes to the way general assistance is distributed along with a complete reorganization of the department.

“Every township trustee is now a deputy director of the department and has access to the files at a moment’s notice. The department director now reports to a professional administrator and regular compliance reviews are conducted. Every township applicant must submit to a background check before hire. Additionally, a case manager with a master’s in social work was brought on to work with residents applying for financial assistance.

“On behalf of the township officials, I would like to thank the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for their hard work and attention throughout the entire investigation.

“Residents can be assured that the current administration takes this matter very seriously and will continue to protect the monies appropriated to the township.”