Former Huntley PTA treasurer admits to thefts
The former treasurer for a Huntley school district parent-teacher association avoided a possible prison term today by pleading guilty to a reduced charge stemming from claims she stole nearly $35,000 from the group's bank accounts.
Amy J. Kowalski, of Lake in the Hills, agreed to pay the Chesak-Martin PTA $22,092 as part of a plea bargain in which she admitted guilt to a misdemeanor charge of theft.
Kowalski, 38, previously had repaid the organization about $12,000 she admitted stealing between October 2006 and September 2007.
Authorities initially charged Kowalski with theft between $10,000 and $100,000, a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison. But under the deal accepted in court today, she instead will serve two years probation, pay a $300 fine and perform 200 hours community service along with the $22,092 restitution.
Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Mary Baccam said Kowalski benefited from her lack of a prior criminal record and her cooperation with authorities from the time she first was confronted last year.
"Every case like this we consider the defendant's criminal history, and in this case she didn't have one," Baccam said. "It also was important to make the PTA whole again and they got all their money back."
Baccam said police reports indicate Kowalski took the money while dealing with financial hardships.
Her attorney, Michael Froelich, declined to comment on his client's motivations.
"She never intended to take that much money and she always intended to pay it back," Froelich said. "We're just happy the PTA got its money back and she can move on with her life."
The PTA serves about 2,000 students at Chesak and Martin elementary schools in Lake in the Hills. The schools are part of Huntley School District 158.
The group's former president, Carrie Schirmacher, said the PTA raises funds to pay for school assemblies, field trips, books and other programs.
"I'm just glad that it's over," Schirmacher said outside of court today. "(The money) is going back into the school system to help the kids."