Benton, Ill. - The former assistant director of the Massac County Emergency Management Agency is
facing federal fraud charges today after an East St. Louis grand jury returned an eight-count
indictment against him. Christopher Thompson, 29, of Kevil, Kentucky, is accused of devising and
participating in a scheme to defraud Massac County, Illinois, and private businesses to obtain
money, credit, and property.
According to the indictment, Thompson operated his fraudulent scheme from November 2018 to
September 2019, in Massac County and elsewhere. Thompson is alleged to have obtained over $49,000
in money and property for himself using Massac County EMA’s existing accounts and by creating new
accounts in its name. He allegedly used these accounts to charge personal expenses and kept the new
accounts hidden from everyone else in Massac County government.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed
to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a
jury.
Thompson is charged with one count of wire fraud and seven counts of mail fraud. Each count carries
a maximum possible sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Thompson is currently out
on bond pending his jury trial, which is set for Nov. 30, 2020, in Benton, Illinois.
The investigation of this case was conducted by the FBI.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
