EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — An East St. Louis Township official has been charged with spending more than $40,000 of township money on personal purchases.
The Belleville News-Democrat reports East St. Louis Township supervisor Oliver Hamilton was charged with wire fraud Tuesday in U.S. District Court. The charges accuse him of using public money for personal purchases.
An investigation by the newspaper shows Hamilton had spent $230,000 on a township credit card between January 1, 2012, and June 2016. The investigation found Hamilton used the credit card to pay for various personal items, such as trips to Las Vegas, car washes and gifts for his political allies.
Hamilton, who owns a construction company, also used the credit card to purchase tools and hardware supplies.
Court records show Hamilton is scheduled to plead guilty to the charge in a hearing Dec. 1.