PERRY COUNTY, IL — The former treasurer of the Perry County Agricultural Society has been indicted in federal court for allegedly defrauding the organization out of more than $100,000. According to court documents, 47-year-old Billy Harris is charged with ten counts of mail fraud.

He served as treasurer of the society from 2011 to 2018 and currently lives in St. Louis. The society operates all the festivals at the Perry County Fairgrounds in Pinckneyville, including the Perry County Fair. In the indictment, Harris is accused of using the organization’s bank account to pay his personal expenses and purchase items for his personal use. He is also accused of writing checks on the PCAS account payable to himself and his spouse and forging the signature on the checks. Harris is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on July 19th. If convicted he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.

The St. Louis Office of the US Postal Inspection Service and the Pinckneyville Police Department are investigating the case, with assistance from the Perry County State’s Attorney’s office.