In White County Court on Tuesday afternoon, 74 year old Jack Lamont of Carmi entered an open plea of guilty on a charge of theft, stemming from an investigation by the Illinois State Police regarding the estate of Robert Hughes.
As a result of that plea, Lamont has resigned his position as a Carmi City Council Alderman for Ward 1.
Lamont was arrested on the charge on November 5th, 2015 following the investigation that began in 2013. He was serving as executor of the Hughes estate, and was accused of attempting to sell a coin collection from the estate for personal gain, instead of directing funds to the White County Senior Center as directed by Hughes’s will.
A sentencing hearing has been set for December 5th before Judge Mark Stanley. At that time, States Attorney Denton Aud, and Lamont’s counsel, attorney Alan Downen of McLeansboro will present evidence and make arguments toward sentencing. Lamont is facing up to five years in prison on the charge after being convicted of retail theft in 1983.
