Washington Park Former Street Superintendent Pleads Guilty To Forging Village Check

Douglas T. Knowles, 37, of Washington Park, Il., entered a plea of guilty to a one-count Indictment that charged possessing and uttering a forged check of the Village of Washington Park, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2014.

In December 2012 Knowles, who is a public works/street superintendent for the Village of Washington Park, purchased and picked up a gas range from Gil Klein TV & Appliance, Inc., a/k/a Klein’s Brand Source, in Fairview Heights. Knowles presented a Village of Washington Park check purported to be signed by the Mayor of Washington Park for payment. It was later learned that Knowles forged the endorsement of the Mayor and used the gas range for his private residence.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Norman R. Smith.