A former employee of Senior Services Associates, a state of Illinois contractor, has pleaded guilty for stealing money from an elderly victim.

Mary E. Pfingston (aka Mary E. McMillan), 41, of Joliet pleaded guilty on Feb. 16 to the offense of financial exploitation of the elderly, Class 2 felony.

Mary E. Pfingston (CREDIT: SAO Facebook page)

Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr., accepted the plea and set Pfingston’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. March 22, 2018, for sentencing. Pfingston faces a sentence of probation or between three and seven years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Seberger stated in court that between Feb. 1, 2015, and April 30, 2015, Pfingston, who was in a position of trust and/or authority of an elderly person, knowingly and deceptively stole between $5,000 and $50,000 from the victim, who was a resident of a long-term care facility in North Aurora.

Senior Services Associates is contracted with the state through the Illinois Department on Aging. Pfingston worked for Senior Services Associates’ as Kane County’s long-term care ombudsman. Her primary duty was to advocate for residents of long-term care facilities in Kane County.

Pfingston remains in the Kane County jail, where she has been held since her arrest in lieu of $100,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.