Man denies $11,000 theft from employer

A Round Lake man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he bought $11,000 worth of cellphones with his employer's money and sold the phones on eBay.

German Alvarez, 31, could be sentenced to seven years in prison if convicted of online theft by deception and online sale of stolen property, but he would also be eligible for probation.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Mary Stanton said Alvarez, of the 400 block of Savoy Drive, was employed in information technology for the tool manufacturer EH Wachs of Lincolnshire.

Part of Alvarez's job duties included buying cellphones and other equipment for company employees, Stanton said, purchases that were charged to business accounts.

A company audit revealed that between October 2008 and November 2010, Alvarez had purchased 43 AT&T cellphones worth $11,657 and had them shipped to his home.

The phones were then sold through auctions on the eBay website, Stanton said.

Circuit Judge John Phillips scheduled a trial of the case for Jan. 23 and ordered Alvarez to appear in court Nov. 17.