Former Kane County Circuit Clerk Thomas Hartwell Identified As Victim Charged With Misusing Public Funds

According to Kane County officials, a former Kane County circuit clerk who was charged with misusing public funds while in office was discovered deceased on Thursday morning at his Palatine office.

According to reports from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas M. Hartwell was discovered deceased during a police well-being check. At the age of 63, he passed away.

According to officials, the cause of his death was not immediately known.

Late last month, Hartwell was accused by the Kane County State’s Attorney of committing a felony by allegedly using his position to reallocate over $100,000.

In addition to the charges previously mentioned, Hartwell is facing multiple felony counts of official misconduct, wire fraud, money laundering, misapplying funds as a government employee, and income tax fraud.

Local businessman Robert Gutierrez is alleged to have given $15,000 in kickbacks to Hartwell, according to reports.

In a recent development, former Kane County Circuit Clerk Thomas Hartwell has been charged with misusing public funds during his time in office.

According to official records, Gutierrez is facing multiple felony charges, which include theft by deception and offering kickbacks.

On April 26, two men were apprehended and subsequently presented in bond court. They were released on their own recognizance. According to sources, they were scheduled to appear in court again at the conclusion of May.

The two men were instructed to surrender their passports and were also prohibited from having any communication with one another.