advertisement

Secretary accused of stealing $163,000 from St. Charles law firm

ssarkauskas@dailyherld.com

A Geneva woman accused of stealing $163,000 from a law firm that she worked for has turned herself into St. Charles police.

Jordan E. Terry, accompanied by an attorney, turned herself into St. Charles police, was booked and released after posting $10,000 cash bond on Monday afternoon, said St. Charles police spokesman Paul McCurtain,

Terry, of the 0N400 block of Ford Drive, faces one count of felony theft of more than $100,000 and faces up to 15 years if convicted. However, fines, community service and probation also are options.

The attorney told police that the former secretary, who had worked for the firm for more than seven years, stole more than $100,000 from August 2010 through June 2012 by forging the attorney's signature on checks, McCurtain said.

He declined to name the attorney who accompanied Terry to the police station.

The court record did not contain the attorney's name, but indicated that Terry was accused of stealing $163,373.86. Terry could not immediately be reached for comment.

In 2012, the law firm of J. Brick Van der Snick filed a complaint in civil court, asking for repayment, according to court records.

That case's records alleged that from 2010 to June 2012, Terry stole from the firm by depositing checks that should have gone to clients in to two of her own bank accounts.

The complaint said she used the money to buy, among other things, a new car and jewelry. The firm, Van der Snick, sought to freeze the bank accounts and get the title to the vehicle. In November 2012, the complaint was dismissed because the two sides had negotiated an agreement, according to court documents.

Terry was previously known as Judith Jordan Terry, but changed her name to Jordan Elizabeth Terry in 2007.

She had worked for Van der Snick from December 2004 to June 2012.

Her duties included managing the firm's accounts payable and accounts receivable, and issuing and depositing checks, according to the complaint.

She is next due in court on April 25.

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.