Roy Collins, Fraud Scheme, Illinois 2023

Crime Pays: Former Kankakee Official Charged with Fraud Scheme

Springfield, IL - In a shocking turn of events, Roy Collins, former executive director of the Kankakee Valley Park District, has been charged with defrauding the park district and a related not-for-profit organization for his personal benefit.

According to the indictment, Collins, 46, of Kankakee, IL, accessed and used park district equipment, labor, and funds to benefit himself between 2011 and 2016. The indictment alleges that Collins used park district equipment and labor to build a pond on his personal property, solicited an independent contractor to perform work for the park district and on his residence, and suggested the contractor falsely bill all of the work to the park district.

Additionally, the indictment alleges that Collins issued a foundation check to purchase a tarp or pond liner for use on his personal property, caused a mower belonging to the park district to be kept and used at his personal property, and kept and used a park district golf cart at his personal property.

Collins also allegedly converted park district and park foundation funds intended for annual 'BBQ Fest' events to his personal use, including his demand for and receipt of approximately $6,000 in kickback payments from an individual hired in connection with the 2014 and 2015 BBQ Fests.

The charges against Collins are the result of an investigation by the Illinois State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine V. Boyle.

Collins will be issued a summons to appear in federal court in Urbana for arraignment on a date to be determined by the U.S. Clerk of the Court. If convicted, Collins faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for the offenses of wire and mail fraud.

An indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The Kankakee Valley Park District is a public park district serving Kankakee County, Illinois. The district provides recreational facilities, programs, and services to the community.

Defendant: Roy Collins

Criminal Charges: Wire and mail fraud (one count each)

City and State: Kankakee, IL

Crime Date: Between 2011 and 2016

Sentence: To be determined

Dollar Amount: Approximately $6,000 in kickback payments

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/former-executive-director-kankakee-valley-park-district-charged-fraud-scheme