Payroll manager at Chicago's Art Museum charged after $2 million fraud scheme

the iconic lions are back outside the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois (Credit: Raymond Boyd—Getty Images)

A former payroll manager at Chicago’s Institute of Art has been accused of taking over $2 million from the museum during more than a decade of fraudulent activity. 

Michael Maurello was indicted on Friday, charged with two counts of wire fraud and two counts of bank fraud. Between 2007 and 2020, prosecutors say he gradually transferred money to his account with JPMorgan Chase, using multiple excuses to cover up the scheme.