Edgar County Assistant State’s Attorney Admits To Theft From Bar Association –

Paris, Ill. (ECWd) –

On November 22, 2024, Edgar County Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren B. McQueen answered the Complaint filed against her with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (“ARDC”) alleging she stole funds from the Champaign County Bar Association when she was its Treasurer.

In her answer, McQueen admits to the theft of all but one of the unauthorized withdrawals, which was a $1000 withdrawal.

She admitted to “engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation by conduct including knowingly using a total of $8,312.72 in funds belonging to the Champaign County Bar Association.”

A formal hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Read the Answer below:

ORIGINAL ARTICLE ON THE ARDC COMPLAINT:

In a Complaint filed by the Administrator of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission on October 30, 2024, attorney Lauren B. McQueen has been accused of theft from the Champaign County Bar Association.

McQueen was first admitted to the bar in 2019.

McQueen is an Assistant State’s Attorney in Edgar County.

According to the complaint:

• McQueen was elected to the Champaign County Bar Association in February 2020
• McQueen was elected as Treasurer of the Association in March 2020 and served in that role for three years
• Between February 2021 through August 2022 McQueen made 17 unauthorized cash withdraws totaling $4,176.00
•  She used those funds for her own personal or business purposes
• Between September 2022 and July 2023, she made unauthorized cash withdraws and purchases totaling $5,136.71
• She used those funds for her own personal or business purposes
• During an internal investigation, McQueen stated her spouse used the debit card for the unauthorized withdrawals and purchases
• At the time McQueen made that statement, she knew it was false

McQueen has not filed an answer to this complaint yet.

A formal hearing has not yet been scheduled.