Six Workers Charged with Looting Clinic ("Helping Professionals" helping themselves)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | October 5, 2004 | Fran Spielman

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Four Chicago Health Department employees and a pair of midwives provided by the University of Illinois at Chicago have been charged with looting condoms, birth control pills and other medical supplies from a health clinic in one of the city's most impoverished neighborhoods.

The alleged thefts mark the second time in less than three months that supplies earmarked for indigent patients have been stolen from the Englewood Health Center, 641 W. 63rd.

"These people are supposed to be providing services to people in need. They're in the helping profession. Instead, they're helping themselves," said Inspector General Alexander Vroustouris.

The latest incident allegedly involves six people, all apparently working independently of one another. They include a pair of UIC midwives and four city employees: a public health nurse, two certified medical assistants and a clerk.

They were allegedly captured by a surveillance camera pilfering everything from condoms, anti-bacterial and birth control pills to gels, hydrocortisone cream and Depo-Provera syringes from the center's "midwives room."