Criminal Charges Filed Against Policeman Accused of Exploiting, Stealing From the Elderly

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed criminal charges against a former La Grange policeman in connection with the exploitation of a disabled person.

The Attorney’s Office filed charges following an investigation of officer Steven Kneifel by the Illinois State Police. Kneifel allegedly committed theft, forgery and official misconduct and financially exploited an elderly person or person with a disability, according to a statement from the Village of La Grange.

Oct. 17, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Kneifel started working at the La Grange Police Department in January 1997, the statement reads, and took a leave of absence in November 2013. It was then that officials found out about the allegations against him.

Kneifel never went back to the police department.

The original complaint against Kneifel alleges he was in close contact and confidence with an elderly victim and that Kneifel made or altered checks that drew from the victim’s bank account several times.

Evidence suggests these withdrawals ranged from $100 to $13,000 throughout the period of April 5, 2013 to Oct. 11, 2015, the Doings La Grange reported.

In total, Kneifel is accused of withdrawing a total of $65,836 from the victim’s bank accounts.

The Village said in its statement that officials have reviewed village records and found no other similar instances or complaints against Kneifel or any other police officers in La Grange.

“The Village of La Grange does not tolerate this kind of conduct and we believe this is an isolated case in an otherwise honorable department of law enforcement professionals,” Tom Livingston, Village President, said in a statement. “We apologize to the victim who is among our own community and will continue to work with others to pursue justice in this case.”

--

Image via Shutterstock.