Crime & Safety
Bank Scam Case Dropped Due to Credibility of Lead Detective
Detective accused of pocketing $500 led the investigation into a $100,000 bank ripoff that snared five people.
A band of accused bank scammers is off the hook because a Naperville man who led the investigation into their thievery is himself facing charges on suspicion he ripped off his police union.
As an Aurora Police detective, Joseph Accardi, 36, made the case against five people who schemed to steal $100,000 from Fifth Third Bank in Aurora in 2012 by posing as account holders. Police set up a sting at the bank.
But Accardi is accused of stealing $500 from the Association of Professional Police Officers in May of 2013. He's charged with misdemeanor theft. Accardi resigned on Feb. 16.
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Kane County prosecutors were forced to drop the charges against the bank scammers because Accardi's credibility is compromised.
“Witness credibility is an important factor for judges and juries to evaluate,” said State's Attorney Joe McMahon. “These accusations (against Accardi) go to the heart of someone’s credibility. ... We believe given his level of involvement in the case, we would not move forward in that prosecution.”
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Cases Accardi worked on in DuPage County and Kendall County may also be at risk.
“Mr. Accardi was well known to this office, and was someone who was held in high regard,” McMahon said. “These allegations are disappointing.”
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