Former Warrenville Alderman Gets Prison

Former Warrenville Alderman Christopher Halley has been sentenced to five years in prison for swindling thousands of dollars from acquaintances, even while he was on probation for similar charges.

Halley, 28, of Warrenville, was charged in August 2010 with two counts of theft by deception for accepting money from acquaintances promising tickets to sporting events including Chicago Bears and Blackhawks games. Halley never delivered the tickets or a refund to his victims, prosecutors said.

On another occasion, Halley took money from another acquaintance promising a “meet and greet” with former President George Bush. Once again, he failed to provide the meeting with the former President and did not refund his victim’s money.

In October 2010, Halley pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 94 days in the DuPage County Jail, but was credited for 47 days served, and also given two years of probation. While on probation, Halley swindled another acquaintance claiming he could help him obtain equipment for his business for $5,500. After Halley was paid the $5,500, he failed to provide the promised equipment or a refund to his victim.

“After his first brush with the law, Mr. Halley was provided a second chance and given probation,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said. “But instead of taking advantage of the Court’s generosity, Mr. Halley went back to his cheating ways, a decision that landed him behind bars for the next five years.”

Halley will be required to serve 50% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.