Feds: Medical District Commission accountant embezzled nearly $130K

A senior accountant for the Illinois Medical District Commission stole nearly $130,000 from the agency over a 15-month period starting in 2014, according to federal prosecutors.

Cynthia Fernandez-Alonso, 42, of Berwyn was arrested Tuesday morning by FBI agents after being charged with embezzlement in a criminal complaint filed Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. She was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

Fernandez-Alonso worked as a senior accountant for the Medical District commission at 2100 W. Harrison, a government agency that receives federal funds to facilitate collaboration among Near West Side medical, health and social service agencies, according to a statement from federal prosecutors.

Her responsibilities included authorizing payments from the commission’s BMO Harris bank account to outside vendors, including Constellation Energy, the district’s electrical and natural gas provider.

Between February 2014 and April 2015, Fernandez-Alonso directed payments from the commission’s bank account into two personal checking accounts, according to the criminal complaint. She recorded the payments, but attributed them to Constellation Energy.

Overall, she made 32 separate direct deposits into her Bank of America and Chase Bank accounts, totaling $129,487, according to prosecutors. On Dec. 10, 2014, she made one such transfer of $4,852 and then spent $2,847 at Kay Jewelers, the complaint alleges.

If convicted, Fernandez-Alonso faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.