Cheryl Antoniak Walimaa, 39, Grand Marais, was charged on Tuesday, April 20, 2011 with two felony counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
According to the Sixth Judicial District complaint, Cook County Human Services received information from an individual mandated to report such concerns that Walimaa was allegedly financially exploiting a vulnerable adult for whom she had power of attorney.
Investigation by Cook County Law Enforcement found that Walimaa managed the checking account of the individual in question and she had written a number of checks to herself between May and September 2010. At least one check, for $600 indicated on the memo line that it was a “loan.” According to Cook County Law Enforcement, “many” checks were issued to local businesses for what appears to be personal expenses of the defendant.
When interviewed at her place of employment, the Cook County courthouse, Walimaa admitted that she had “borrowed approximately $20,000” from the alleged victim without that individual’s knowledge or consent. She also admitted that she was “about $10,000” behind in debt to the North Shore Care Center for the individual’s care, which was to be paid from social security benefits and a money market account.
Walimaa said she was attempting to repay the amount at $200 per month, with one payment made to date.
Walimaa has been placed on supervised release with the condition that she has no contact with the alleged victim and conducts no fiduciary duties for that individual. An initial appearance is scheduled before Judge Michael Cuzzo on May 4 in Lake County. County Attorney Tim Scannell said court proceedings would take place in Lake County, because Walimaa was a Cook County employee at the time the charges were filed
Indicating she was pursuing a private business opportunity, Walimaa submitted her verbal resignation on April 20 to her supervisor Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers, shortly before the charges were filed.
Walimaa’s last day of county employment will be May 6, as she requested use of accumulated paid leave in the interim.
County Attorney Scannell said the charges were all related to Walimaa’s private life. “There is absolutely nothing to suggest that there were any improprieties related to her job performance at Cook County,” he said.
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