advertisement

Former president charged with $11,000 theft from Wheaton booster club

The ex-president of a booster club at Wheaton North High School used the group as her “own personal fundraiser,” stealing about $11,000 over five months, prosecutors alleged Monday.

Dorothy “Dee” Horky, 57, of the 1N300 block of Richard Avenue near Carol Stream, could face up to seven years in prison if convicted of felony theft. She surrendered to police Monday and was released on a $500 bond.

Horky was president of the Wheaton North Booster Club between May 2006 and May 2011. After leaving that position, she took cash advances totaling $10,985 against a club credit card that remained in her possession between July and November of last year, according to prosecutors.

Horky also is accused of transferring $9,838 from a booster-club bank account to cover the advances.

Wheaton police and the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office launched an investigation after the club noticed inconsistencies in its books, authorities said.

“For five months, Ms. Horky allegedly lied to and deceived the Wheaton North Booster Club, swindling them out of nearly $11,000,” State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said in a statement. “She allegedly treated the club as her own personal fundraiser, depriving students’ extracurricular activities at Wheaton North High School of much-needed funding.”

Horky declined to comment when reached by phone Monday but her attorney said she “maintains her complete innocence in this case.”

“She has never been involved in any criminal wrongdoing in her 57 years of life and, once the facts get out, I fully expect to exonerate her of all charges,” defense attorney Tim Martin said.

Horky’s next court date is April 22 in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.