SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A former suburban Chicago police chief was indicted on federal fraud, money laundering and tax evasion charges in connection with a nonprofit organization established in 2005.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Springfield says Timothy J. Swanson of Bourbonnais founded Illinois Regional Air Support Service while working as police chief of Countryside. Prosecutors contend Swanson claimed the organization would use helicopters to support law enforcement activity.
He continued to run the organization after taking a Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department job in 2009. The 55-year-old solicited about $350,000 in donations for the organization from police departments, corporations and individuals.
The indictment accuses Swanson of making about $186,000 in personal purchases, and using donations to pay off credit cards and buy another company.
It wasn’t immediately known if Swanson has legal representation.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.