Champaign police officer resigns after plea in DUI case
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CHAMPAIGN – A Champaign police officer who pleaded guilty last month to driving under the influence has resigned her post.Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney said Lisa Staples, 39, resigned effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
"She resigned this (Tuesday) morning. It was a part of the process of meeting with her attorney and one of the numerous meetings we have had," said Finney.
Staples pleaded guilty on Dec. 18 to misdemeanor driving under the influence. An 11-year employee of the department, Staples had been a detective for the last four years.
She admitted that she drove the wrong way on Interstate 72 on Nov. 30 about 2:30 a.m., at a time when she was drunk and in a departmental squad car.
Special prosecutor Tony Lee of Paxton and Staples' attorney, Ed Piraino of Champaign, negotiated a deal that allowed Staples to receive a sentence of 18 months of court supervision, 250 hours of public service and a $750 fine. Champaign County Judge Rich Klaus accepted the plea agreement.
Staples had been paid while she was on administrative leave. Her pay ends as of 5 p.m., Finney said. The resignation does not affect her ability to collect whatever pension she might be eligible for based on her years of service, he said.
