LaSalle County Board Chairman Jim Olson says it’s time to “take it on the chin” and put the case of two fired deputy auditors behind. The board approved a settlement with Tori Artman and Pamela Wright Monday, more than a year after they were fired.
The deputy auditors were charged with stealing overtime pay they didn’t work for. A jury found Artman not guilty and the State’s Attorney’s Office dropped charges against Wright. The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees went to bat for them, demanding their jobs back with back pay.
Olson says the settlement details aren’t going to come out until both women have signed the agreement. They could return to work with back pay, or they could take a payout to forget about it.
Auditor Jody Wilkinson was also charged with helping them steal the money. A judge found her not guilty.