The most serious theft charges against former North Chicago Police Chief Michael Newsome were dismissed Wednesday.
Newsome is accused of stealing about $275,000 from the city’s drug-asset forfeiture fund, but Lake County Judge James Booras dismissed two of the four counts against him.
Booras dismissed one count of theft of government property, a felony carrying a potential six- to 30-year prison sentence, and one count of theft, a felony that carries a potential prison term of four to 15 years.
Counts of official misconduct and misapplication of funds — both felonies that can result in probation or up to five years in prison — remain as the case moves toward a trial.
Newsome was arrested in October of 2012. Prosecutors alleged he took the money in a series of transactions and used it for personal expenses, including car payments, his children’s education and remodeling his home. The money was discovered missing after Newsome resigned earlier in 2012.
Defense attorney Douglas Zeit’s motion asserted the indictments against Newsome lacked enough specifics about the alleged thefts, including how the money was used and when it was spent.
Assistant State’s Attorney Fred Day argued the indictments were as specific as possible considering the alleged thefts took place over several years beginning in 2007. He argued the state could not possibly know every single item the money was used to purchase, but evidence showed it wasn’t used for purposes outlined for the drug-forfeiture funds.
Zeit said the lack of specifics left the defense unsure as to what it was defending, an argument Booras agreed with.
“The judge dismissed two of the most serious charges and left two charges intact,” Zeit said after the hearing. “That’s a positive for us, and we believe the judge was absolutely right in his decision.”
Day said he respects the judge’s decision, but added the state would review its options with regard to the ruling.
Newsome is scheduled to be back in court June 14.
Twitter @jimnewton5
