Former LaSalle County State's Attorney Brian Towne was all smiles at his Sept. 21 hearing on 17 felony counts of official misconduct, according to the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW).
Towne is accused of ordering staff to conduct political activities during office hours, using money from a forfeiture program to pay for private expenses, and donating thousands of dollars in public funds to to a local high school club, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The ECW called the hearing a "waste of time," as the judge did not hear any motions at the direction of Judge Clark Erickson, who will be overseeing the case. The proposed motions included setting bond, which was dated for Sep. 6, and a motion to amend Towne's charges because of statute citations. The ECW added that Towne has not yet been booked.
Former State’s Attorney Brian Towne
| Illinois State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor's office
At court, Towne was seen laughing and joking with attorneys at the top of the steps, although protesters on site changed "Down with Towne," among other things, the ECW said.
Towne's next hearing is scheduled for Friday.
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