Overview

• Sarah Jackson Abedelal, 61, was discovered dead after failing to appear for her sentencing in a federal wire fraud case involving Chicago Public Schools.
• Abedelal pleaded guilty in 2022 to orchestrating an overtime kickback scheme that diverted at least $200,000 in public funds for personal use, including luxury items and mortgage payments.
• Her sentencing, initially scheduled for May 6, 2025, was postponed to May 7 after her absence, with a warrant issued for her arrest before her death was reported.
• Prosecutors sought a 38-month prison sentence, citing the misuse of funds intended for children's education, while her defense highlighted her mental health struggles and requested leniency.
• The federal case will be dismissed once her death certificate is verified, though the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.