Roudell Kirkwood, the alderman of Waukegan’s 4th Ward, has been charged with dozens of felonies after court documents say he fraudulently obtained a gaming license for his businesses, profiting over $100,000.
Kirkwood, 68, of Waukegan, was charged with 26 counts of forgery, a Class 3 felony; two counts of wire fraud, a Class 3 felony; two counts of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony; and one count of theft by deception, a Class 1 felony.
An Illinois State Police spokesperson told Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Thursday that a regulatory investigation had been launched into Kirkwood.
The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police Statewide Gaming Command and the Illinois Gaming Board.
SGC and IGB agents discovered suspected official misconduct involving Kirkwood, the spokesperson said, adding that additional information was not available because the investigation is still ongoing.
Kirkwood was indicted on the charges by a Lake County grand jury and the case was filed Sunday.
Kirkwood allegedly committed 16 acts of forgery by falsifying documents that were submitted to the Illinois Gaming Board on different occasions in 2019.
The indictment said Kirkwood committed an additional six acts of forgery by falsifying documents submitted to the City of Waukegan for a liquor license application.
Kirkwood also allegedly committed four acts of forgery by falsifying documents submitted to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
The indictment said that Kirkwood committed two acts of wire fraud by falsifying documents submitted to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
In those two instances, Kirkwood was delinquent in paying the City of Waukegan for food and beverage taxes but claimed he was not, the indictment said. He also claimed he was not a public official.
The two counts of official misconduct stem from Kirkwood failing to acknowledge on the applications that he was a public official, the indictment said.
The indictment said that Kirkwood’s actions led to him fraudulently obtaining a video gaming license and making between $100,000 and $500,000 in gaming revenue.
Kirkwood is the president of Mac Dynasty Inc., which operates several Lake County restaurants, public records show.
“I’m very disappointed to learn that Alderman Kirkwood has been indicted on many serious charges, and I hope he puts his constituents first at this time,” Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said in a statement.
“While I’m a firm believer in our justice system and due process, as a former Alderman, I know that having a multi-count felony indictment is incompatible with the best interests of the residents and businesses of the 4th ward,” Taylor said.
Court records show a warrant was issued but then stayed after the indictment was filed.
Kirkwood is scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday for an arraignment hearing.