PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office says there was probable cause to charge the former CEO of Peoria public television station WTVP with embezzlement and forgery.
But, according to a Peoria Police report, the investigation into Lesley Matuszak is closed because she took her own life back in September of 2023.
Matuszak had resigned from her role as President and CEO on September 27th, 2023. She was found dead in her home the next day. Jenn Gordon was hired in March of 2024 to fill the role.
The investigation by Peoria Police into the financial troubles at WTVP started on November 7th, 2023. The station’s investment account had around $320,000 moved out of it, which required board approval and was not done. Police say the WTVP board had approved an audit for the past couple years, over some concerns regarding answers to “some fairly simple questions.” It was initially attributed to lazy bookkeeping.
The board held a special meeting in September of 2023 with Matuszak to discuss the direction where WTVP was moving. The meeting also was to review some credit card charges and expenses.
The police report says a meeting was set up with the board’s counsel to discuss the charges, but Matuszak never replied.
Some of the improper spending detailed in the report includes political campaign donations to State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria), of which non-for-profits cannot make political contributions; clothing and jewelry from Potter & Anderson Jewelers and Fine Gifts; Bergdorf Goodman; golf-related vacations, clothing, accessories, and tickets to the BMW Classic; and unauthorized payments for insurance plans, after Matuszak has switched to Medicare.
The police report says there were also unauthorized transfers of the investment account, with the board learning that $100,000 of its credit limit with PNC Bank had been used, along with the liquidation of $320,000 funds from its investment account with Cypress Asset Management.
Matuszak had submitted several medical, dental, and insurance expenses as reimbursable, along with monthly membership dues to the Creve Coeur Club and Peoria Country Club.
The WTVP Board of Directors announced in October of 2023 that it would cut $1.5 million from the budget, which resulted in nine jobs being eliminated, after the discovery of improper spending. The station also operated in a deficit in fiscal year 2023, and closed down Peoria Magazine, after obtaining it in 2021.
The board itself saw a shakeup in the wake of improper spending, with Andrew Rand stepping down in January, being replaced by John Weiland.
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