A former director of the Du Quoin (Ill.) Public Library surrendered herself to local police November 16 after a warrant was issued for her arrest charging her with felony theft. Donna Campanella, 47, is accused of stealing more than $10,000 from the city between December 2000 and August 2001. Ironically, the charge was brought at the same time that her resignation was to have taken effect. However, board President Charles Swinney had dismissed Campanella in late October during the investigation of the missing funds, according to the November 15 Du Quoin Evening Call.
Chief of Police Ken DeMent told the newspaper that Campanella, who is a village trustee in nearby Willisville, Illinois, had allegedly cashed several checks against Du Quoin municipal funds without library board approval. A hearing is scheduled for December 17.
Posted November 26, 2001.