Mercer County Treasure Charged With Stealing From His Political - KWQC-TV6 News and Weather For The Quad Cities -

Mercer County Treasure Charged With Stealing From His Political Party

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The Mercer County Treasurer, Michael Bertelsen was arrested over the weekend and is accused of stealing from his own political party. Bertlsen was arrested Saturday and charged with a single count of Theft, a Class 3 felony. He posted a $2,000 cash bond and was released from custody.

The Mercer County state's attorney says Bertlesen is accused of taking more than $500 from the Republican Central Committee of Mercer County in April of this year.

The state's attorney says the theft does not involve county funds but the county board plans to have a forensic audit done to make sure taxpayer funds are being properly handled.

Mr. Bertelsen is presumed innocent. An out of county State's Attorney Appellate Prosecutor has been appointed to avoid a conflict of interest in Mercer County. The Illinois State Police are in charge of any ongoing investigation.