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Six misconduct counts against mayor dismissed

Friday, July 15, 2005 | 9:49 a.m.

PEKIN, Ill. -- A judge Thursday dismissed six of the nine official misconduct charges that Pekin Mayor Lyn Howard faced for allegedly using a city credit card for more than $1,400 in cash advances at the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria.

Tazewell County Judge Stuart Borden took the action after Howard's attorneys, Jerry Hall and Ron Hamm, argued that three counts did not apply to the case and the other three did not cite laws Howard allegedly violated.

"The mayor is very happy as we are with the outcome today," Hall told the (Peoria) Journal Star.

Tazewell County State's Attorney Stewart Umholtz, who agreed to the dismissal of three counts, said dismissing six was not a blow to the case against Howard. He said the case now will be easier for a jury to comprehend at trial.

"We have now streamlined the charges," he told the Associated Press. "I'm pleased with the court's ruling because it will allow us to present much more concise, simple jury instructions."

If convicted, Howard could face up to five years in prison on each of the three remaining charges. By law, he also would be required to resign once his appeals are exhausted.

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