Man pleads not guilty to embezzlement

The former attorney for a custom homes builder pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of stealing $1.2 million from his employer.

Bartholomew Kempff, 38, faces a mandatory prison sentence of between four and 15 years if convicted of theft over $500,000.

Kempff was the general counsel and director of development for Oren Pickell Builders and Designers, with offices in Lincolnshire and Northfield.

Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop said Kempff, of Winnetka, wrote checks to himself from the company's trust and escrow fund between late 2002 and last August.

The money was used to pay Kempff's bills and taxes, Bishop said.

The company discovered the missing money through an audit, and Kempff resigned Aug. 21.

He also surrendered his law license at the end of last year.

His attorney, Steven McCollum of Waukegan, said Kempff never intended to permanently deprive the company of the money and paid it back prior to his resignation.

Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak scheduled a trial of the case for June 20 and ordered Kempff to appear in court again May 7.