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1 • Thursday, January 19, 2017 - The Independent

Bensenville

Independent

also serving Wood Dale

VOL. 17 • NO. 6

WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

Lombard man who used charitable funds for personal use gets three years

On Wednesday, June 17, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Wheaton Deputy Chief of Police P.J. Youker announced that a Lombard man has entered a plea of guilty to stealing funds from a not-forprofit agency intended to aid United States veterans. Todd Olshefski, 51, appeared in court Wednesday morning where Judge George Bakalis sentenced him to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Olshefski pleaded guilty to one count of Use of Charitable Trust Funds for Personal Benefit, a Class 2 Felony. On March 6, after pleading guilty to the same charge, Olshefski’s wife Priscilla, 60, was sentenced to 180 days in the DuPage County Jail and one year of conditional discharge. The charges against the Olshefskis stem from a ten-month investigation conducted by the Wheaton Police Department, with assistance from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, following numerous complaints regard-

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ing the couple’s aggressive soliciting tactics, use of intimidation and concerns surrounding the legitimacy of the Veteran’s Christian Network (VCN), a not-for profit organization created by the Olshefskis. The investigation found that at least $10,000 of donations made to the charity were used by the defendants for lodging, vehicle loans, auto insurance, medical equipment, a personal storage unit and veterinary bills for their dog. “Not only did Todd and Priscilla Olshefski take advantage of the generosity of DuPage County residents, they did so at the expense of our veterans,” Berlin said. “Thanks to the outstanding work of the Wheaton Police Department, we were able to put an end to this deplorable scheme and close down a so-called charity that served only the Olshefskis.” Pricilla Olshefski received credit for time served and was released at sentencing. Todd Olshefski will be required to serve 50% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

As a reminder: Music in the Park, LibertyFest cancelled

“Bensenville remains committed to following all state guidelines, working together to combat COVID-19 and keeping our residents safe and healthy.” Under Pritzker’s ‘Restore Illinois’ plan, gatherings of more than 50 individuals are prohibited until this region reaches Phase 5. Phase 5 requires the availability of a vaccine or highly effective treatment for COVID-19, as well as a sustained elimination of new cases. At this point, it is reasonable to assume that accomplishing these tasks will take a significant amount of time. To learn more about the governor’s plan to reopen Illinois, visit coronavirus.illinois.gov. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING LLC

With the announcement of Gov. Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan to reopen the state, the Village of Bensenville’s Music in the Park summer concert series and the Fourth of July LibertyFest celebrations have been cancelled. These events traditionally bring large crowds to Bensenville and would violate Pritzker’s new “Restore Illinois” plan until the economy is fully reopened. The state is currently in Phase 3 of this 5-phase plan. “This was not an easy decision and one that the Village struggled with knowing how popular they are but we also have to follow the direction from the state and put public safety first,” said Village Manager Evan Summers.

Up and over

SUBMITTED PHOTO Bensenville Independent

Jacek Gebala puts it over the net. He recently signed to play collegiate volleyball in the fall when he plans to attend Aurora University. Story and another photo in Sports.


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