With Beth Hundsdorfer of Capitol News Illinois
CARLYLE — A Metro East police chief spent more than $100,000 of public money intended to combat drug use and support a local fire protection district on personal expenses, including basketball tickets, travel, and diamond engagement ring, according to a federal indictment.
A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment on Tuesday charging now former Carlyle Police Chief Mark Pingsterhaus on wire fraud and theft of public money counts. He resigned in December after the federal investigation became public.
“We strongly support law enforcement because the overwhelming majority of officers service with dedication, honor and courage. But when any officer, especially the chief, betrays the community they are sworn to protect, we will take decisive action,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Steven. D. Weinhoeft in a statement.
Read more: Feds accuse former Carlyle police chief of wire fraud, theft (March 6, 2026)
CARLYLE — A search warrant executed by the FBI revealed the target of a criminal probe was then Carlyle Police Chief Mark Pingsterhaus, who leased office space in the police station to a federal task force that battles public corruption in southern Illinois.
The FBI is investigating Pingsterhaus, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, for possible wire fraud and theft of federal funds, according to the search warrant, obtained by Capitol News Illinois and the Illinois Answers Project. The FBI rents space in the Carlyle police station in downstate Clinton County.
No criminal charges have been filed against Pingsterhaus, who resigned in December, and neither the city nor the FBI would discuss the nature of the allegations.
Pingsterhaus could not be reached for comment.
In November, under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the two news organizations requested a copy of any search warrant served on the city after a press release posted on the city’s Facebook page publicly confirmed a federal investigation into Pingsterhaus.
Carlyle City Administrator Brad Myers initially declined multiple requests from reporters for a copy of the search warrant, but eventually provided one last week — more than two months later.
Read more: Search warrant reveals FBI is investigating former Carlyle police chief (Feb. 3, 2026)
