COD -John Valenta Sentencing update-

DuPage Co. (ECWd) –

It appears there were extenuating circumstances tied to Valenta’s action that were not publicly disclosed until today’s hearing.  It turns out this convicted criminal played not only COD, but CBS and others.

Paul McGovern of CBS radio testified that Valenta worked for CBS radio full-time (40 hours/week + OT) from 1984 to 2008 as a Chief Engineer.  He was terminated on May 1, 2008, for falsified invoices. In 2008 he agreed to repay CBS radio $40,000.

Carolyn Krause of Elmhurst College testified about false invoices from Broadcast Technologies for equipment from PC Fix, Chicago Broadcast Services, and Broadcast Technologies.

Lt Kent Munsterman of the COD police department testified that invoices located in the Valenta home showed that the same radome was replaced on the North Central College antenna three different times and the same art in the transmitter was replaced twice.  He also testified that many Broadcast Technology invoices were for Harris Radio parts from Quincy, IL. The LT said that Harris had no records of any sales to Broadcast Technology or John Valenta.

Valenta was covered with health insurance benefits provided by both College of DuPage and CBS Radio.

An inventory of the COD radio transmitter showed that all of the parts were the original parts.  COD radio station WDCB manager, Dan Binder, testified about the $443,000 in fraudulent billing by the chief engineer, John Valenta.

Valenta told the officer only about 10% of the bills were legitimate. The $443K doesn’t include any fraudulent OT (over time) was included.

His wife and children wrote mitigating letters on his behalf. They said he was a good father and provided for the family and served the country by being in the service and reserves for six years.

The pre-sentencing statement said that Valenta had a brain aneurysm and that he was molested by a priest as a minor and they are taking care of an adopted daughter that has special needs.

After all of the testimony, mitigating letters, and John Valenta’s tearful apology, the Judge pronounced the 8-year sentence.
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