Former Anna, Ill., lawyer pleads guilty to theft

Patrick Cox of Anna, Ill., a former lawyer and public defender, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of theft Wednesday.

According to a Union County state's attorney news release, Cox admitted to taking between $10,000 to $100,000 that he had held in a trust for clients and others, including a juvenile, between Jan. 2, 2005, and June 26, 2007.

Authorities were tipped off to Cox's illegal activity when an attorney for one of the victims came forward, concerned because a check for $40,000 from his client's account did not clear, said Union County State's Attorney Allen W. James.

The check was to pay off a residence as part of divorce proceedings, said James.

The Illinois state attorney general's office conducted an investigation and traced receipts to several casinos in Illinois and Missouri, indicating that Cox may have had a gambling problem.

"I've known Pat for a long time," James said. He purchased Cox's law practice from him at one time, he said.

The attorney general's office headed the court proceedings, with James assisting, but inclement weather prevented the prosecutor from appearing in court Wednesday, so James handled the hearing in which Cox entered a plea.

Cox entered what is called an open plea, meaning that it had no sentencing conditions attached.

He faces from three to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and a fine of up to $25,000. He is also eligible for an alternative sentence of 48 months' probation.

Also, the state will seek restitution of about $58,000.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 4.

bdiscosmo@semissourian.com

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