Des Plaines to pay IDOT $92,000 for Misuse of DUI Grant

Des Plaines has settled with the Illinois Department of Transportation, agreeing to pay $92,000 for allegedly faking DUI arrest numbers to increase grant-funded overtime pay. The Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program requires that police departments submit the number of DUI arrests and the blood alcohol levels of those arrested. The department is then reimbursed for officer overtime pay, mileage and equipment. An investigation in 2012 was prompted when city leaders informed IDOT that some allegedly fraudulent DUI arrests had been submitted as part of the program. From 2009 to 2012, DUI arrests were inflated by 122 according to authorities.

Des Plaines was paid more than $115,000 in the year prior to the investigation. That amount was the third highest STEP grant in Illinois. Thirteen members of the department were penalized with suspensions and criminal charges were filed against Timothy Veit, the former commander in charge of the program. Veit pled not guilty to one felony charge of making false statements – his case is still pending.

Des Plaines to pay IDOT $92,000 to settle police grant case, www.chicagotribune.com, February 19, 2014 Des Plaines to pay back IDOT for misusing grant, www.dailyherald.com, February 19, 2014