Former Iroquois County Clerk Mark Henrichs was ordered to make restitution to Iroquois County in the amount of $17, 500, serve 30 days in the county jail, and then 30-months probation. That was Judge William Schmidt’s sentence imposed Friday in Iroquois County Circuit Court.
The 53-year-old Henrichs, who served three terms as the county’s elected Clerk/Recorder, was convicted in September of 4-counts of Official Misconduct and 2-counts each of Theft and Forgery. A jury found him guilty on all counts for arranging the purchase of a camping trailer with county funds for the alleged use as a mobile voting facility, but hiding from the county that he owned the trailer, and paid half as much for IT 16 months earlier. The jury also ruled Henrichs forged documents to make it appear the trailer was purchased from a Chicago car lot for $17,500 when he knew it wasn’t.
Reaction from Assistant Attorney General Neal Goodfriend…..
Goodfriend and Assistant A-G Mary Bucaro (Buh-car-Oh) prosecuted the case for the Office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Goodfriend asked the court to impose prison time to Henrichs, alerting Judge Schmidt that during the trial and even today, Henrichs “shows no remorse” and even testified himself trying to lead jurors thru his “concocted story of lies.” Goodfriend called Henrichs “our best witness,” unraveling the story himself.
Prior to sentencing, Henrichs read a prepared statement asking the judge to consider his back ground, community roles and accomplishments, and his family — but offered no apology for the criminal conduct that led to his conviction. Judge Schmidt did cite Henrich’s lack of any criminal background and acknowledged what impact prison time could have on the family. The Judge said to Henrichs “you stand before this court and community disgraced — having lost your elected office and pension benefits. The jail time imposed — Schmidt said –should be a strong deterrent for other elected officials.
Goodfriend said the judge delivered what we said in our case…..
Before the sentencing, Judge Schmidt denied a defense motion for acquittal and a new trial. Henrichs will report to the county jail November 11. Although sentenced to 60 days, day-to-day good behavior makes Henrichs subject to release in 30 days.
