Former Cicero mayor Betty Loren Maltese begins the next phase of her post-prison life Monday, when she returns to Chicago and takes up residence inside a half-way house.
Fox Chicago News has learned the town of Cicero is still paying for Loren Maltese’s health insurance.
In fact that policy covers the convicted felon for life.
“She was an elected official, she did serve like everyone else, she did qualify for benefit,” said Ray Hanania, Cicero town Spokesperson.
But unlike others Betty Loren Maltese went to jail for seven years, convicted of ripping off Cicero of $10 million as part of an insurance scam.
Loren Maltese tells us exclusively tonight by phone she did nothing wrong, it’s town policy, she believes her enemies floated this to the media because of her return.
Hanania denied her allegation.
“She’s not on our radar screen, no one trying to go after her, we didn’t bring this up to embarress her,” said Hanania.
Ray Hanania says the policy for elected officials has been in place for a long time, and there are no current plans to change it, although this unusual circumstance may lead to a review.
People we talked to in Cicero tonight were not as measured in their opinion of the policy.
“I think shes really bogus about that, hard times, its bogus,” said one resident of the west suburb.
“That’s really wrong, they should use that money for something else,” said another Cicero resident.
The health insurance policy also covers Betty Loren Maltese’s daughter.
Read the original article from FOX Chicago News.