Nov. 09--JERSEYVILLE -- The husband of former mayor and current City Commissioner Yvonne Hartmann was indicted Thursday on charges of solicitation of arson and solicitation of insurance fraud.
Robert J. Hartmann, a well-known Jerseyville property owner, allegedly told a woman to "plan a trip out of town" and encouraged her to "put as much furniture in that house as you can."
The woman approached authorities with the information, and the Jersey County Sheriff's Department initiated an investigation, State's Attorney Ben Goetten said.
A call to the Hartmann residence was answered by a woman, presumably Yvonne Hartmann, who said, "I have no comment," as soon as the reporter identified himself. Robert J. Hartmann could not be reached.
Yvonne Hartmann was mayor for several years, ending in 2011. She now is a city commissioner of accounts and finances and member of the Jerseyville City Council.
The grand jury in Jersey County Circuit Court handed up two felony indictments Thursday. Count 1, solicitation of arson, alleges Hartmann requested or encouraged a woman, who is known as "Jane Doe" in the indictment, to knowingly with the intent to defraud an insurer damage property or any personal property with a value in excess of $150 by means of fire.
In Count 2, solicitation of insurance fraud, Hartmann is accused of attempting to obtain by deception control of more than $10,000 but not more than $100,000 from the Calhoun County Mutual County Fire Insurance Co. by making a false claim on an insurance policy.
Goetten said the insurance company did not supply any information in the investigation. The company's name is included in the indictment because that firm issued the policy on the property.
The alleged violations occurred on July 20, the indictments alleged.
The grand jury hearing was before Circuit Judge Eric Pistorius, who signed an arrest warrant Thursday. Bail was set at $30,000. Hartmann was not in custody as of Thursday afternoon.
Copyright 2012 - The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.
