Ex-Lisle golf pro charged with stealing thousands in public funds

A former pro at River Bend Golf Course in Lisle faces a 22-count criminal indictment alleging he stole thousands of dollars in public funds.

Terry E. Remke Jr., 46, of McHenry, is expected to plead not guilty during his first court appearance Monday when arraigned in DuPage County. A grand jury indictment was released Friday, detailing charges of theft, theft by deception and official misconduct.

Remke, the former superintendent of golf, was a 14-year employee at the course, owned by the Lisle Park District.

Prosecutors accuse him of pilfering more than $10,000 from 2003 until his resignation in May 2007 after park officials said they discovered what appeared to be questionable financial practices.

Prosecutors said he used a variety of schemes to steal. In some cases, Remke would accept checks from groups sponsoring golf outings. Instead of issuing a receipt for the greens fees, he would put the checks in the cash register as a purchase of merchandise from the pro shop. Authorities said he then would steal items equaling the amount of the check and sell them.

In addition, the allegations are that Remke at times would issue duplicate receipts to golfers and pocket their greens fees.

Remke is free on a $300,000 bond after posting the required 10 percent for his release.