Former Illinois Mayoral Candidate Accused in Arson

A Waukegan, Ill. man who was a mayoral candidate is being held in lieu of $2.5 million bond in connection with a fire that destroyed a vacant Salvation Army warehouse.

Greg Flesher is accused of using fireworks and gasoline to set fire to the building in May.

The 41-year-old Flesher ran as a Republican against Mayor Robert Sabonjian and Democrat Richard Hyde in April 2009. Flesher came in third. He was an unsuccessful write-in candidate for Lake County Board last year.

According to prosecutors, Flesher is also a suspect in May 19 fire in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario that killed a 48-year-old woman.

During Thursday’s bond hearing, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Scheller said Flesher told investigators he burned down the Waukegan building after a failed effort to buy it.