Charged with theft, former Miners treasurer posts bond

     The attorney for a woman accused of taking more than $18,000 from the Coal City Miners Youth Football organization has posted bond.
    Following a detailed investigation by the Coal City Police Department, a Grundy County Grand Jury handed down an indictment in November, 2018 formally charging 37-year-old Bridget Hodina, of Cape Coral, FL with theft of more than $10,000 but less than $100,000. It’s alleged that she took funds belonging to the organization during the   nine months she served as its treasurer.
    A nationwide warrant was issued for her arrest and bond was set at $75,000.
    Earlier this month, Joliet attorney Neil Patel with the firm of Chuck Bretz & Associates appeared in Grundy County Court on behalf of Hodina. At that time he petitioned the court for a bond reduction and it was granted and reset at $50,000.
    Three days later, Jan. 7, the Bretz law firm posted $5,000 bond on behalf of Hodina and an order was entered releasing her from custody in Florida.
    It was on the evening of Aug. 31, 2018 that the youth football organization announced via social media that through an investigation of its own, a theft had occurred. Representatives from the organization then met with police and a criminal investigation was launched.  A review of written financial records verified $18,145 had allegedly been taken by Hodina who served as treasurer from November 2017 to mid-July 2018.
    According to Grundy County’s on-line court information the next scheduled court date in the case is set for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31.