Lombard accountant charged in $100,000 theft

The accountant for a Lombard marketing firm has been indicted on charges he stole more than $100,000 from the company during a four-year span, authorities said Friday.

Kenneth E. Lambert, 37, of Chicago, is accused of forging signatures on checks to collect money he then used for personal expenses, said a spokesman for the DuPage County State's Attorney's office.

The thefts took place at Affiliated Marketing, 101 W. 22nd St., between Dec. 31, 2004, and Oct. 20, 2008, according to the charges. Lambert is accused of stealing between $100,000 and $500,000.

A grand jury indicted on Thursday indicted Lambert, who faces a felony theft charge punishable by probation or up to 15 years in prison.

Authorities said a $250,000 bond arrest warrant was issued, but Lambert had not yet been taken into custody as of Friday afternoon.

A phone message left at Affiliated Marketing seeking comment was not immediately returned.