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player ready...A former assistant to a member of the Cuneo family, which made a name in the Chicago-area printing business, was sentenced to probation and periodic imprisonment Monday for identity theft, exploitation and stealing from a person over 60 years old.
Beverly Benson, a 58-year-old former Grayslake resident who now lives in Schaumburg, was convicted in the fall of aggravated identity theft involving a person over the age of 60, a Class 2 felony, involving unauthorized purchases she made in 2012 while working as an assistant to John Cuneo Jr.
She was working at the Cuneo Estate in Vernon Hills when the thefts took place, and the investigation began when a private investigator was hired by the family in 2012.
She was also convicted of financial exploitation of an elderly person and theft.
Lake County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Shanes sentenced Benson to 24 months of felony probation and 18 months of periodic imprisonment, 12 months of which was stayed and six months of which must be served through electronic home monitoring.
Assistant State’s Attorney Scott Turk said Benson also must pay $6,383 in restitution to Cuneo, perform 100 hours of public service, may have no contact with Cuneo and may not hold employment in which she has control over the finances of others.
“She will be fine,” defense attorney Barry Boches said of his client, noting that she is paying restitution and moving on with her life.
Boches said the amount of restitution Benson is paying covers the losses suffered by Cuneo that have not already been covered by credit card companies.
Benson could have faced three to seven years in prison for the conviction of the Class 2 felony, which also carries probationary options.
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