Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a suburban Cook County man on Thursday alleging he fraudulently applied for and received workers’ compensation benefits while working for the Illinois State Police (ISP).
The Attorney General’s office charged Marcus Lyles, 29, of Crestwood, Illinois with one count of theft of governmental property exceeding $10,000 and not exceeding $100,000, a Class 1 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison; one count of state benefits fraud, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison; and one count of forgery, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Lyles’ next court appearance is scheduled for May 14.
Sentences are ultimately determined by the court.
“It is especially egregious when an individual charged with working on behalf of the public breaks the law for their own financial gain, particularly if that individual is responsible for enforcing the law,” Raoul said. “I will continue to partner with state agencies to prosecute anyone who defrauds the state and its residents.”
Attorney General Raoul’s office alleges Lyles was employed by the ISP when he sustained a work-related injury. According to Raoul’s indictment, Lyles is alleged to have fraudulently applied for and received workers’ compensation benefits by certifying he was not working secondary employment between January 2024 and April 2024 while receiving workers’ compensation benefits related to his work-related injury.
The Attorney General’s office is prosecuting this case based on a referral from the Illinois State Police – Division of Internal Investigation.
“The Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation conducted a thorough investigation of this conduct and presented our evidence in full to the Attorney General's Office," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "No one is above the law, including those charged with upholding the law. ISP holds its officers to the highest standards and conduct within these charges violates the values and principles of ISP.”
ISP has placed Lyles on administrative leave without pay.
The public is reminded the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assistant Attorney General Haley Bookhout is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s Public Integrity Bureau.
