State Sen. Suzi Schmidt has been acquitted of trespassing and criminal damage charges. (Photo courtesy www.ilga.gov)

By The Associated Press

WAUKEGAN - An Illinois lawmaker accused of trespassing and criminal damage to a neighbor's property has been found not guilty of the charges.

Republican State Sen. Suzi Schmidt of Lake Villa Township was accused of throwing boat oars from her neighbor's yard into a nearby marsh and of punching a hole in a bag of feed outside the neighbor's home.

In addition to the verdict, Lake County Judge George Strickland yesterday let stand an order of protection requiring Schmidt to stay away from the neighbors.

Schmidt accused her estranged husband, Robert, of having an affair with the unidentified female neighbor.

Last year Schmidt dropped her re-election bid after her dysfunctional marriage became public knowledge when 911 tapes revealed the senator telling police to ignore her husband's complaints during a domestic dispute.