HARVARD – The state has revoked a Harvard animal shelter's license after officials disagreed with her sentiment that she did not need to disclose she was a convicted felon because she had adopted a new identity.
Angela Johnson, the owner of Ceasers Heaven animal rescue, was known by a different name in the early 1990s when she and her then-boyfriend were convicted of running a scam to bilk thousands of dollars from couples hoping to adopt her unborn child, according to reports obtained by the Northwest Herald under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
In a February administrative hearing, Johnson told Illinois Department of Agriculture officials she did not believe she needed to report her felony record from Lake County because she changed her name and Social Security number in 2000. Officials refuted her claim, revoking her license and ordering her to turn animals in her care over to McHenry County Animal Control.
Johnson, 44, also is barred from holding an animal shelter license for a minimum of three years.
More than a month after the state’s decision, Johnson said she stands by her application and decision to write “no” on the Aug. 29, 2013, application when it asked if she ever had been convicted of a felony.
“When I changed everything, the Social Security Administration told me I was a new person,” Johnson said, adding, “Everything from before is gone.”
Based on documentation contained in the complaint from the state’s agriculture department, Johnson, under her old name, was convicted of 13 felony counts, including fraud, theft and unlawful placement of an adopted child. Documents show she was sentenced to nine years in prison, but was eligible for parole after half that time.
The Animal Welfare Act stipulates a felony conviction is considered when the department reviews an application, but does not bar someone from obtaining a license. Making false statements, however, is grounds for revocation under the law.
Johnson said she had no intention of disclosing that history. She said a tip to the state agency about her criminal past was part of a “witch hunt” aimed at her.
“The Department of Agriculture would have never known had somebody not called them because my name and Social Security number does not show up,” Johnson said regarding court records and convictions.
February’s hearing was not Johnson’s first time facing formal discipline from the state agency.
She was fined in 2013 for operating an animal shelter out of her Mundelein home without a license, documents show.
She was fined $2,500 in February 2015 for failing to sterilize and/or microchip a golden retriever and keep adoption records. Inspector Mark Ballman in his report noted there had been “multiple violations in a short period of time.”
Those violations and the felony convictions are small, Johnson said, compared with what she has done to improve the lives of thousands of dogs.
“I think that in 24 years I have done good in life,” Johnson said. “I’ve done good things. Why do I need to be crucified? Is this fair to me and my family?”
While she won't be able to run an animal rescue of her own, Johnson said she plans to continue helping other shelters by volunteering or fostering. She is helping a new pet store in Marengo by offering food and nutrition education.