Lawyer accused of $1.2 million theft pleads guilty

A Crystal Lake lawyer accused of stealing $1.2 million from his clients pleaded guilty Thursday and faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced in November.

Curt P. Rehberg, 50, of Cary, was arrested in September 2013 by Crystal Lake police and charged with 15 felonies.

Rehberg pleaded guilty to three counts of felony theft, including a charge of stealing more than $500,0000, in exchange for less serious charges being dismissed.

One of the felonies was not eligible for probation and has a minimum four-year prison term.

McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Robert Zalud said one felony theft charge against Rehberg was for stealing a donation of more than $500,000 designated for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

“It was left in a will. He was supposed to make the disbursement,” Zalud said.

Rehberg entered a “blind plea” or “cold plea” in which a defendant admits guilt without agreeing with prosecutors on a punishment and instead leaves it up to a judge.

Judge Sharon Prather will impose a sentence Nov. 12.

Rehberg's defense attorney, Henry Sugden, plans to argue for the minimum four-year term.

“Curt has admitted his guilt. He's a good lawyer, but a bad businessman,” Sugden said.

Sugden said Rehberg used money from other clients to pay off staff and not lay off anyone when business was down for Rehberg's law firm.

He also took money from clients to pay a client's taxes for a court case Rehberg lost and also used funds to pay a debt in a bad business deal, Sugden said.

“It shouldn't have happened, but it did. He's always felt bad about it,” Sugden said. “It was a number of things that kept snowballing.”

Rehberg was free on bond after his arrest, but turned himself into the McHenry County jail over the summer, Sugden said.

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission in November 2013 suspended Rehberg's law license until further court order.