Former Oakland FPD Trustee Kiley Willison Stole Over $236,661.00 – Sentenced Today; Jail Time Stayed

Coles-Douglas Co. (ECWd) –

The former Oakland Fire Protection District trustee, Kiley Willison, was sentenced today on a single Class 1 Felon charge while 10 other charges were dropped.  This entire process, from our first Freedom of Information Act submission that resulted in the resignation of the Wiley family members from the board to today’s sentencing, took 2 years and 8 months. The first article can be found at this link.

According to the State’s Attorney, in open court, a representative of the current Board of Trustees of the Fire Protection District had not expressed any concerns with the agreed-upon sentencing agreement. That same trustee was non-committal to reducing the next tax levy by the amount they recently increased it if they receive the court-ordered restitution.

Willison refused to testify today but did offer his allocution in open court.  The judge did not appear convinced that the brief hand handwritten, double-spaced 3/4 of a page letter read in court was that of a genuinely remorseful person.  The judge stated he “begrudgingly” accepted the terms presented by the prosecutor and the Defendant.   You can read the letter Kiley read in court and provided to us after court at this link.

Ten other charges were dropped for the guilty plea entered back in September of 2024.  Eight months later, the following sentence was handed down for a single Aggravated Class 1 Felony Charge.

• 180 Days in Jail – Stayed (no jail time) 
• 48 Months’ Probation
• 300 hrs community service in the Oakland Community (75 hrs each year of probation).  (Should have included service in any community covered by the boundaries of the Fire District, in our opinion.)
• Restitution totaling $236,661.54 on the following schedule.
  • $100,000.00 paid by June 16, 2025
  • $50,000.00 paid by August 16, 2025
  • $50,000.00 paid by October 16, 2025
  • Remaining $36,661.54 to be paid during the 48-month probation period.
  • $500 Fine and associated costs
• Can not hold any public office during his probation
• Provide a DNA sample and pay for all associated fees in that collection of DNA
• Report to the Probation Office immediately after court

The judge made clear that the financial restitution was a condition of his probation.  Any failure to meet the agreed financial obligations would be a violation of probation and “may” result in Willison going to the Department of Corrections for anywhere between 4 and 15 years.

Victim Witness statements were read that indicated that Fire Protection District money was used for a laundry list of personal luxuries to include tickets for professional ball games, personal expenses tied to the former golf course Willison owned, and many other things.  We were assured by the State’s Attorney that all the information would be provided in my FOIA request.

Kiley’s father, Jerry Willison, who was charged with 7 Class Three Felonies for his part in the crimes committed as a trustee of the fire district, has yet to make any plea deal and is scheduled for a “status” hearing on Monday, May 19th at 9 am.

While we do not know what plans the prosecutor has for Jerry’s case, we believe he will walk Scott free now that his son basically took ownership of the theft from the public.  While we hope that is not the case, we have seen all too often the justice system fall short when it comes to holding all involved accountable.  Kiley’s wife, who was also a trustee during this time, was never charged.