UPDATE: Former SWANCC Exec Pleads Not Guilty to Theft of $900K, Childhood Friend Speaks to Patch

pleaded not guilty today in the Skokie branch of Cook County Circuit Court to a six-count felony indictment related to charges of stealing more than $900,000. His bond was also modified to remove electronic home monitoring. 

The Cook County Grand Jury recently indicted Beal, the former executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) on two charges of theft of government property, official misconduct and forgery. These Class X felonies carry a prison sentence of six to 30 years. 

Beal was in funds from SWANCC after a five-month joint investigation involving the and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Public Corruption Unit. He allegedly filed false expense reports, claiming to register for prestigious graduate and management classes he never attended, according to a news release from Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez. 

After the plea was entered, Beal’s attorney, Thomas Breen, asked Judge Timothy Chambers to remove the electronic monitoring requirement from Beal’s $500,000 bond. 

“He has given me his passport and his FOID card (Firearm Owners Identification Card),” Breen said. “The only place he is traveling is Michigan where he and his wife have a second home. They will be selling that to make restitution.” 

When Assistant State’s Attorney Nick Trutenko had no objection, Chambers made the change. “We want to know when he’s going to leave [the state],” Chambers said, warning Beal not to make any trips without informing the court. 

After the hearing, Breen stressed Beal’s desire to make restitution to the best of his ability for the money he allegedly stole. 

“[Beal] and his wife are selling assets to make restitution to all who deserve it. We want to make any aggrieved people whole," Breen said.

When asked if Beal intended to pay everyone back, Breen added, "You can’t get blood from a turnip.”

A man who said he was a childhood friend of Beal’s recently contacted Patch regarding the story.

“This is a truly tragic story for those of us who knew Brooke,” said Steve, who asked Patch not to use his last name. “I have known him since 1st grade at Carlson Elementary School in Rockford. I considered him my best friend in grade school. One can never figure out where someone they knew to be a good person took the wrong turn.”

The case was continued until 9:30 a.m. May 17 in the Skokie branch of Cook County Circuit Court.

Stay tuned to Patch for more updates.