Philpot trial delayed until Aug. 20
BY Teresa Auch Schultz tauch@post-trib.com June 30, 2012 5:12PM
Thomas Philpot | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media, file
Updated: August 2, 2012 10:45AM
Lake County Coroner Thomas Philpot can wait another month and a half before his criminal trial starts.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry granted Philpot’s request to delay the trial, which was scheduled to start July 9. Philpot’s attorney said in a motion for the continuance that a third attorney had recently joined the case and he needed more time to prepare.
Cherry set a new trial date for Aug. 20.
Philpot was arrested last fall after a grand jury indictment charged him with three counts of mail fraud and two counts of theft. The indictment claimed that while Philpot was the Lake County clerk, he paid himself money from a fund that required him to have the permission of the Lake County Council to do so. Prosecutors argue that he did not have that permission.
Philpot, who did repay the money, has pleaded not guilty and said that a lawyer advised him he had the authority to take the money.
