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Ex-Beardstown Superintendent Lands 33 Months for Embezzlement
URBANA, Ill. – A former school superintendent has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for defrauding two area school districts in Illinois.
Daniel Brue, 48, formerly of Beardstown, was sentenced to 2 years and 9 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, following his conviction on four counts of wire fraud. Brue was also ordered to pay $343,009.52 in restitution.
According to court documents, Brue embezzled money from the Bement Community Unit School District #5 and the Meridian Community Unit School District #15 between 2011 and 2019. He used his position of trust to create and register a fake company, which he then used to fraudulently invoice the school districts for work never performed.
U.S. District Court Judge Colin S. Bruce noted that Brue’s scheme was not ‘simple’ and that he took efforts to conceal his theft. The judge also stated that the money could have been used to help children, and that Brue’s crimes would have a long-term, detrimental impact on school districts that were already struggling.
“School superintendents and other public servants serve as leaders and role models to students and the community at large,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Douglas J. Quivey. “When they abuse the public trust, prosecution serves to restore the trust and reminds us all that public misconduct will not be tolerated.”
“School districts, especially those in our rural areas, count on every penny to provide a quality education for their students,” said Sean M. Cox, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Springfield Division. “Over the span of 8 years, Daniel Brue embezzled school funds, funds which could have been put toward valuable supplies for the students and staff. Mr. Brue deprived students, and the educators teaching them, from having all available resources to provide the best educational experience, and that can never be replaced.”
Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Ritzer and Melissa Moody represented the government in the prosecution. Brue is currently residing in Virginia, Illinois, and will report to the Bureau of Prisons to serve his sentence.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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