Assessor's employee charged with gas theft, submits resignation

Perry County State's Attorney David Stanton filed a Class 4 felony theft charge Thursday against Perry County Assessor's office employee Paul D. "Butch" Stern for allegedly filling gas cans with fuel at Moto Mart for personal use, then charging the gas to the county.

The thefts were hidden by the fact that he would fill the cans while filling up the county vehicle he uses for his work as a field assessor.

The information states: Said defendant knowingly exerted unauthorized control over government property of the County of Perry, State of Illinois, being gasoline, having a total value not in excess of $500, intending to deprive the County of Perry, State of Illinois, permanently of the use of the property.

Initially, Judge James Campanella signed an arrest warrant, but Stern came to the Sheriff's office to face the charge. Judge Campanella set bond at $20,000.

There has been no date set for a preliminary hearing.

Stern, 64, had his attorney deliver a letter of resignation Thursday to his employer.

The letter reads:

"To the Board, the Supervisor of Assessments, and the People of Perry County, Illinois:

The purpose of this document is to provide written evidence of my intention to resign from my position at the office of the Supervisor of Assessments. In the preceding days, it has become clear that I can no longer be effective in my position.

I would like to thank Mr. John Batteau, who has been a model of consistency and leadership during the time we have worked together. I apologize for any difficulty or unwanted attention that I have brought to the office of the Supervisor of Assessments.

Sincerely,

Paul D. Stern

July 17, 2014"