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Former Highwood Deputy Fire Chief on trial
There has been a long-standing investigation and suspension of Ronald Pieri, the former deputy chief of the Highwood Fire Department. An article from 2013 is available here. Now, the case has resurfaced in the news as the trial has officially begun. Several recent articles have covered the ongoing legal proceedings.
According to the Chicago Tribune:
Lake County prosecutor Scott Turk described Pieri as a “disgruntled employee†who wanted to work a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. During his opening statement in the delayed trial, Turk claimed that Pieri’s dissatisfaction and greed led him to falsify time records and claim extra pay for hours he could have worked during his regular shifts. The state alleges that Pieri committed felony charges of official misconduct, theft, and false entry, costing taxpayers approximately $58,676 in overpaid wages, lost work time, and benefits.
Pieri’s defense team, however, argues that the evidence against him is unreliable. They point out that three different sets of calculations have been produced by experts, showing conflicting results about how Pieri should have been compensated. Defense attorney Julie Trewarthen criticized the state’s data as flawed and questioned its validity. After four years of delays, Pieri waived his right to a jury trial and the case proceeded before Judge Victoria Rossetti.
At the time of his arrest in 2011, Pieri was the highest-ranking member of the department and married to a sitting alderwoman, as well as the son of a former alderman. The only witness on the first day of the trial was Thomas Lovejoy, the former fire chief, who confirmed that Pieri often submitted time sheets without approval. He admitted that it was not unusual for Pieri to handle his own time records.
The state had previously dropped the most serious theft charge, but Pieri still faces potential prison time and loss of his firefighter pension if convicted. The city placed him on paid administrative leave in 2011, and he continued to receive his salary until 2013 when a formal complaint led to his unpaid suspension.
Another article highlights testimony from firefighters and colleagues, including Jason Noga, who said he covered for Pieri’s absences and early departures. Former Chief Lovejoy also testified about being pressured by city officials to promote Pieri, despite concerns about the role’s administrative nature.
On the fourth day of the trial, an economist testifying for the defense, Benjamin Wilner, criticized the prosecution’s financial analysis, arguing that the numbers changed significantly across different calculations, raising doubts about their accuracy. He emphasized that the prosecution’s model assumed fraud whenever discrepancies arose, without considering legitimate administrative duties.
The trial continues, with both sides presenting arguments and witnesses. As the case unfolds, it remains a significant legal and public affairs story in Highwood.