Couple Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Pecatonica Fire Department

ROCKFORD -- A local couple has pleaded guilty to stealing from the Pecatonica Fire Department. Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato alleged that 49-year-old Brenda Samuelson, who worked as a bookkeeper for the fire department, wrote unauthrized payroll checks to both her and her husband Donald even though he was not employed by the fire department.

The couple pleaded guilty to charges of Theft of Governmental property in excess of $10,000 not exceeding $100,000, Conspiracy to Commit the offense of Theft and five counts of Forgery. The theft charges alone are Class 1 felonies punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison.