Aurora police testified at a bail hearing in Oct. that Stiles had stolen about $350,000 from the two organizations, but the restitution was based on a $275,000 settlement in a related civil suit. Stiles, a firefighter, resigned Jan. 15 after 11 years with the Aurora Fire Dep't. He was secretary and treasurer of the Relief Ass'n from 1995 to 1999 and held the same post at Local 99 from 1992 until his resignation.
"We won't feel it's complete until he pays the penalty--doing the time--and pays us back the money he owes us," said Local 99 president Gregory Frieders. Stiles agreed in Apr. 2001 to pay $275,000 to the two groups in a civil suit they filed. He agreed to turn over about $64,000 in retirement funds. The groups have received about $31,000 from his pension , but await payment from a deferred compensation fund. Stiles has made no further payments. Though a lien has been place on his home, unions officials said they doubt he has equity in that home.
When the allegations surfaced, only one signature was required to sign Relief Ass'n checks. Union checks required two signatures, but checks that only had Stiles' signature still were cashed, Frieders said. Since then, both organizations have reportedly revamped their accounting procedures. [Chi. Trib. 3/22/02]
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