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NewsFriday, August 17, 2007 2:43 PM CDT
Milton defense attorney calls trial 'inquisition'
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BLOOMINGTON -- The defense attorney for McLean County Clerk Peggy Ann Milton told a jury this morning that his client is a victim of an inquisition.

"We're not supposed to have inquisitions in this country but you've just witnessed one," attorney Lee Smith said in closing arguments. The case went to the jury at 10:15 a.m. Friday.

Special prosecutor David Rands said the case against Milton involves more than postage stamps and rides home.

"It involves a big principle. What do we expect from the people we elect? Mrs. Milton stole from the county of McLean and she should be convicted on all four counts," said Rands.

Milton is charged with theft and official misconduct.

In his remarks, Rands said Milton took advantage of her office by using county stamps to mail several hundred letters to help raise funds for the American Diabetes Association.

Milton denied using the stamps for the fund-raising. She said she may have occasionally used county stamps for other charitable causes.

Milton said opinions from county legal counsel indicated the actions were legal.

The defense contends former employee Denise Cesario was behind the investigation into Milton's office practices. Illinois State Police Sgt. Vidal Panizio assisted with the investigation.

"It's been a year now since Sgt. Panizio left the statewide terrorism unit to work on this case and this is what they came up with," Smith told the jury.

Cesario testified that she saw Milton's son, Justin, working on a fundraising project in Milton's office. She also acknowledged that she was not pleased with a job change that resulted in her losing more than $2 an hour.

Rands said Milton exceeded her authority by having her employee, Betzy Cowan, drive her son home to Heyworth. "It was clear from her (Milton's) testimony that she ran her office the way she wanted to run it," Rands said.

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Reader comments on this story - 22 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

to: don't you think that wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:07 PM:

" Denise Cesario should be commended for bringing the information to the right people. It was up to them to follow through and they chose to do just that. If the verdict had gone differently she would be a heroine. "

The Court Clerk wrote on Aug 17, 2007 2:39 PM:

" The Jury will find her guilty by the information that has been presented. It is a felony and Milton will be forced to resign. There will be only a spanking for punishment. But results will be the resignation maybe thats what was wanted all along..........? "

to former employee Denise Cesario wrote on Aug 17, 2007 2:35 PM:

" I hope my taxes do not go up or I as a tax payer have to pay for the witch hunt because you were mad because you lost your cushion job. If you had beeen doing your job right you would not have lost your job and this joke would not be going on. "

Indian Joe wrote on Aug 17, 2007 2:26 PM:

" Sgt. Panizio pay woulod be over $70,000. That would buy a lot of stamps. "

hmm wrote on Aug 17, 2007 1:56 PM:

" "It's been a year now since Sgt. Panizio left the statewide terrorism unit to work on this case and this is what they came up with," Smith told the jury. Sgt. Panzio was removed from the terrorism unit to work on this case? ps. Pantagraph why on earth would you not post this before???? good grief "

Go figure wrote on Aug 17, 2007 1:46 PM:

" What about the Bloomington City Water Employee who charged $3,000 on a city credit card. Nothing was done about that for 2 yrs. A city alderman said, not to worry, it happens all the time. He should be on Peggy's jury. "

Really now................ wrote on Aug 17, 2007 1:35 PM:

" is this not a rather ignorant trial? I think so. Think about it - Ms. Milton used postage stamps (whether she paid for them or not) to HELP the Diabetes Association. How BAD is that? If I were a rich person, I would bet EVERYTHING I HAVE that this small amount of money is no more than one drop of rain in a bucket as compared to other missappropriations of money by 'bigger people' in McLean County government. This whole trial is a SHAM and cover up for someone. I don't know Ms. Melton or anyone else involved. "

My prayers... wrote on Aug 17, 2007 1:24 PM:

" are that the jury see this for what it is.... a huge harrassment against Ms. Milton.... "

To:Rands wrote on Aug 17, 2007 1:15 PM:

" I wonder what his taxes look like? Does he claim any write offs? I wonder if he writes off his mileage...if so how much is actual work related? Of course he would never lie! "

I just Googled witch dipping wrote on Aug 17, 2007 1:14 PM:

" I got Personalized Results 1 - 10 of about 809,000 for witch dipping. (0.16 seconds). The very first hit came up Pantagraph.com | News | Woman gets 20 years for involvement in ...Congratulations! "

What a Joke wrote on Aug 17, 2007 1:12 PM:

" I am a republican/Democrat (Independent) and I believe this is a joke. I voted for Blajagovic...and I will not vote for him again. If the government wants to go after corrupt politician...go after Emil (for bribes from Ameren) and Blajagovic (stealing tax payers dollars for flights from chicago). "

dima wrote on Aug 17, 2007 12:41 PM:

" This trial is wasting time & money. And to "J O" - what are you talking about??? "

This is just so wrote on Aug 17, 2007 12:13 PM:

" ridiculous. I'm sooo glad they took someone from the statewide terrorism task force to assist in this "more pressing matter." What a mess!!! "

Big Brother wrote on Aug 17, 2007 12:03 PM:

" Has any county employee ever? ...... Used a county envelope to mail a personal letter? Used the copy machine for personal use? Sent a fax on company time? Made a personal call on the county phone? Used a county vehicle for any personal reason even if it was "on the way"? Done a favor for a neighbor or friend while on the clock? Used their county computer to play a video game? Borrowed any county equipment to use at home? Gone home early from work? Worked overtime without pay? Plowed out there drive way on county time? Drove a county vehicle to run errands? Used a paper clip from the office? Printed out personal business on a county printer? Came back late from lunch? Left work on the clock to run a quick errand? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>If you have or know, of anyone who has you are guilty of mis-appropriation or conspiracy to mis-appropriate county funds, and official misconduct. Sgt. Panizio will be in to see you. Billy is going to clean out the cheaters and crooks!!!! "

bopb wrote on Aug 17, 2007 12:00 PM:

" witchhunt "

Tom wrote on Aug 17, 2007 11:55 AM:

" I'd like to know why the Pantagraph has to continue to use the ADA in its reporting? Why can't you just use a charitable organization? Second I think Rand needs to go after the bigger fish in the state vs this one. Talk about a joke!! "

You chose wrote on Aug 17, 2007 11:52 AM:

" Accusations of stamp use or someone doing drugs in the Law and Justice center helping people get a clean drug test. Isn't there something more serious a "special prosecutor" could be doing? "

Meatball wrote on Aug 17, 2007 11:42 AM:

" It does not make a difference if it was an unhappy former employee or not if she did what she is accused of. Must be a lot more to this that we are not aware of. "

popo wrote on Aug 17, 2007 11:26 AM:

" Thanks for wasting my tax dollar Denise.How petty "

Don't you think that wrote on Aug 17, 2007 11:14 AM:

" Denise Cesario should be ashamed of herself! "

from a democrat wrote on Aug 17, 2007 11:08 AM:

" what do you get 1 day for each stamp used? this hole thing is costing the county more than the stamps where worth. again the taxpayers are being ripped by government cr@p! "

J O wrote on Aug 17, 2007 11:06 AM:

" Just be glad she hasn't been tortured . . . yet. "

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