Crime & Safety
Man Accused of Stealing Cancer Donations Pleads Guilty, Gets Probation
Joseph Campione, of Palos Hills, pleaded guilty to one count of theft. He was accused of stealing a jar of donations for a cancer patient from a Crestwood convenience store.
PALOS HILLS, IL – A Palos Hills man pleaded guilty to one count of theft Friday, July 13 and as part of a plea agreement received 24 months of probation, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.
Joseph Campione, 45, of Palos Hills, was charged with one count of felony theft after Crestwood police said he ran out of a convenience store in the 13600 block of Cicero Avenue on Dec. 5, 2011, with a jar of money that was intended to help a 27-year-old Alsip woman pay her medical bills.
Campione's attorney Mike Gillespie said Friday that he felt "horrible about what he did.
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"But you know that goes to show how drug addiction can cause you to make some bad decisions," Gillespie continued, explaining that Campione had become addicted to pain killers after a 2007 scaffolding accident when he working as a contractor.
"But he is getting help now," Gillespie added.
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As part of the agreement, Cook County Judge John J. Hynes also gave Campione 120 hours of community service.
He has to submit to random drug testing, said Tandra Simonton, spokeswoman with the states attorney's office. Campione is also responsible for just over $650 in court costs and fines.
