Homewood Woman Working For Chicago DOT Charged With Embezzling More Than $741,000

A Homewood woman working as a clerk for the City of Chicago’s Department of Transportation was arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly embezzling more than $741,000 from fees for city permits.

Antionette Chenier, a city clerk since 1990, allegedly stole from checks written by companies that received city permits to block public ways with Dumpsters or moving vans.

Chenier, 50, was charged with embezzlement in a criminal complaint that was unsealed following her arrest.

Chenier's arrest marked the culmination of an investigation by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the City of Chicago's Office of the Inspector General.

"As a clerk, working in CDOT’s City Hall permitting office, she was involved in processing the moving van and Dumpster permit fees," according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office. "The city charges a $25 daily fee for a residential moving van and between $50 and $200 (or higher) per Dumpster, depending on the size, location, and length of time the Dumpster will be on a city street."

From August 2008 through January 2014, Chenier allegedly deposited several hundred checks totaling $741,299into personal and business accounts. Bank officials froze Chenier's accounts when they noticed suspicious activity, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Chenier faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

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