Former Replex manager charged with theft

Posted on June 7, 2017

Joe Rodts is being held in the McLean County Jail on $50,000 bond. (Photo courtesy McLean County Jail)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – A man from Normal remains jailed on charges that he stole more than $10,000 from the Replex recreational center in LeRoy.

Joe Rodts, 39, was the executive director of the Replex. He faces criminal charges alleging he stole money from the LeRoy Park District facility.

Rodts was fired last year after an audio showed major discrepancies.

Park district attorney Tom Pliura says the district believes Rodts stole more than $100,000 and he believe the criminal investigation will reveal that.

“Mr. Rodts was called in by the board,” Pliura said. “Mr. Rodts is alleged to have admitted improperly taking certain funds.”

Pliura added the group will consider going to court if necessary to recover the stolen funds.

The park district is exploring all its options, including seeking a civil action against Mr. Rodts and any other individuals to recover any monies that were taken or embezzled,” Pliura said.

Rodts is being held on a $50,000 bond.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…