2 x 4’s for Hope theft case pushed back to January docket

QUINCY — The co-founder of a local charity charged with two counts of stealing from that charity saw his trial pushed back to the January court docket.

Mark Lawrence appeared with his attorney, Don Schuering, in Adams County Circuit Court Monday morning before Associate Judge Roger Thomson.

Lawrence, 63, is charged with theft over $100,000, a Class 1 felony punishable for 4 to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and theft over $10,000, a Class 2 felony punishable for 3 to 7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

Lawrence was scheduled for pre-trial motions Monday morning. However, the case was stricken from the December jury docket. A status hearing has been sent for Jan. 4.

Lawrence and his wife, Chris Lawrence, were the founders of 2x4s for Hope, a local charity which builds homes for homeless and at-risk veterans. The organization’s board voted in November 2021 to remove Mark Lawrence as president and Chris Lawrence as treasurer. 

The 2x4s for Hope board also filed a civil suit against the Lawrences for theft of money and materials from the charity. The Lawrences have filed a countersuit.

Both civil suits are still pending.