1 year, 11 months ago by Scott Hardy
Mark Lawrence accused of stealing over $100,000 from organization
One of the founders of a Quincy-based organization that builds tiny homes for veterans, who was forced out last year, has been indicted by an Adams County Grand Jury.
Mark Lawrence was indicted last Thursday by the Grand Jury on counts of Theft of $100,000 to $500,000, and Theft of $10,000 to $100,000. The charges were revealed Wednesday morning, after he turned himself in to Adams County authorities. Lawrence is accused of receiving over $100,000 worth of tools that were donated by manufacturers to the organization between 2019 and late September 2020. Lawrence then allegedly sold some of the tools to retailers. He had been under investigation by the Illinois State Police since last November. At that same time, the 2 by 4's for Hope Board of Directors fired Lawrence and his wife from the organization, and filed a restraining order against the couple. Last week, they counter-sued the Board for defamation, saying that a letter sent by the Board to the ISP that asked them to investigate contained false charges.
Lawrence's bond was first set at $200,000, but has been reduced to $15,000. He'll be arraigned June 1st
