A former northern Illinois county sheriff has pleaded not guilty to charges he used thousands of dollars of government money for personal items. Former Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn entered a plea to two counts of felony theft between $500 and $10,000.
Court documents say Harn bought electronic and boat equipment, radio-controlled toys, party tents, coolers, weapons, Harley-Davidson clothing and accessories, adult novelty items, outdoor fountains and other items with county money.
The charges come from an Illinois State Police investigation that started after an internal audit of the department in December 2014 and January 2015. Investigators say the thefts occurred between June 1, 2011, and Dec. 2, 2014. Harn was sheriff from 2010 to 2014. He's next due in court Dec. 19.
