East St. Louis official used library funds on car repairs, cash advances, feds allege

The former director of the East St. Louis Public Library was indicted in federal court on five counts of wire fraud and embezzlement for using library funds on personal purchases and cash advances.

According to the indictment, filed Aug. 20 in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Kenyada Harris racked up $16,409.85 on a credit card issued by Lindell Bank of O’Fallon, Missouri that was supposed to be used to cover “incidental expenses for official business” at the library, the indictment alleges.

“Harris, however, stole cash and used the city credit card to take unauthorized cash advances and make personal purchases that she concealed from city officials responsible for financial oversight,” the criminal indictment states. “Her concealment included false statements, false pretense, and a forged receipt for a personal automotive repair.”

On July 31, 2023, a charge for $1,409.85 to Dobbs Auto & Tire in Cahokia Heights appeared on the card. Then, from Jan. 17 to April 6, Harris, 40, used the card to make four cash withdrawals totaling $15,000 at Bank of America locations in both O’Fallon, Illinois, and Belleville, according to court records.

Because the alleged crime involved interstate wire transfers and because the East St. Louis Library receives more than $10,000 in annual grant funding, subsidies and other assistance from the U.S. government, Harris is being charged in the federal court.

Harris resigned from her job in June. She was hired in June of 2023 with an annual salary of $87,000.

“City officials owe a duty to act in the best interests of the public they serve,” the indictment stated. “State and Municipal law and city policy prohibit city officials from using their positions for their own person gain.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case. According to federal sentencing guidelines, Harris could face a maximum of 20 years in prison plus fines.

This story was originally published August 28, 2024 at 4:16 PM.