Ex-Deputy Chief Of Vernon Hills Police Patrick Zimmerman Indicted

WAUKEGAN, IL — A former deputy chief of Vernon Hills police has been indicted on theft and official misconduct charges, authorities said.

Former Vernon Hills Police Department Deputy Chief Patrick Zimmerman resigned in September amid an investigation into paperwork he submitted to state officials for traffic enforcement grants, according to the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.

Zimmerman, 51, of Lake in the Hills, falsified traffic tickets in order to receive more than $4,000 from an Illinois Department of Transportation program, prosecutors alleged.

Authorities said his fraud was discovered after colleagues noticed discrepancies in documentation for grants compensating officers who spent extra time on traffic enforcement.

The department's internal investigation revealed that phony tickets triggered fraudulent state payments, according to prosecutors, but the former deputy chief never submitted the paperwork to the village, and no drivers were harmed by his alleged fraud.

On Wednesday, a Lake County grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Zimmerman, who spent more than two decades with the department.

A judge issued a $50,000 bench warrant for his arrest but stayed its enforcement, allowing Zimmerman to remain free until his arraignment, which is scheduled for April 5, according to a statement from the state's attorney's office.

Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick Kries said officers at his department had worked with village staff, prosecutors and the Illinois Department of Transportation to uncover Zimmerman's alleged fraud.

“Although we were extremely disappointed to learn of Zimmerman’s alleged conduct, other members of our department deserve credit for identifying the initial discrepancies and bringing it to light,” Kreis said in a statement. “This department is committed to holding itself accountable to the public trust it has been granted.”

Kreis did not immediately respond to a request for further information about Zimmerman's tenure.

Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said his office had been working on the case since he took over the office in December, succeeding now-Circuit Judge Mike Nerheim as chief county prosecutor.

"This case is just one, of many, that had yet to be resolved under the prior administration," Rinehart said. "We are committed to finding and ending public corruption.”

Rinehart said he believes the investigation has uncovered the full extent of the financial fraud. He said an audit of criminal cases in which Zimmerman was involved in ongoing.

"We must hold our police officers to the highest standards. While we acknowledge Zimmerman’s 26 years as a police officer, our duty to the law demands that we bring these charges and inform the public about the misuse of taxpayer funds."

The state's attorney's office said the indictment includes two counts of misdemeanor theft and two counts of felony official misconduct but has yet to provide a copy.

Zimmerman did immediately respond to a request for comment.