Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

Sweeping Charges Allege Scheme to use Municipal Funds for Private Travel

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced charges against 11 current and former elected officials and employees of the village of Ford Heights, Illinois. Raoul alleges the individuals participated in a scheme to illegally use municipal funds to pay for airfare, hotel accommodations and exorbitant spending excursions while on personal vacations at casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada and Michigan City, Indiana.

“Elected officials and civil servants are rightfully held to a higher standard, making it especially egregious when someone in power intentionally steals from the taxpayers they are supposed to be serving,” Raoul said. “I would like to thank the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the hardworking investigators in my office for their work and dedication in investigating this case.” 

On Thursday, investigators from Raoul’s Criminal Division and officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Ford Heights Municipal Hall. The defendants are scheduled for arraignment on Sept. 30. 

“The abuses of power alleged in this case are an affront to the people of Ford Heights, who deserve to have their elected officials conduct themselves with honesty and integrity,” said Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. “I applaud the Attorney General for prioritizing this case, and my office was proud to assist his investigators in the arrest of these individuals.”

Combined, Attorney General Raoul filed 79 felony counts, including theft of governmental property and official misconduct, against the following individuals: 

• Antone Adams, 59, of Chicago Heights, Illinois.
• Annie R. Coulter, 74, of Ford Heights (former mayor).
• Nyree D. Ford, 53, of Ford Heights (village clerk).
• Allis Franklin, 78, of Ford Heights.
• Mary Matthews Graziano, 65, of Ford Heights.
• Johnny A. Griffin, 67, of Ford Heights (current village trustee).
• Scottie L. Hatten, 38, of Hazel Crest, Illinois (former village trustee).
• LaDell L. Jones, 61, of Ford Heights (former village trustee).
• Dedra D. Lee, 65, of Ford Heights.
• Antoina T. McMichales, 56, of Ford Heights (former village trustee).
• James E. Morgan, 48, of Ford Heights (current village trustee).

The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Deputy Bureau Chief Jonas Harger and Assistant Attorney General Nemura Pencyla are prosecuting these cases for Raoul’s Public Integrity Bureau.