Theft charges dropped after man repays firm

Lake County officials dropped felony theft charges against a Glendale Heights man Friday after the man returned the money he was accused of stealing from the owners of a former Lincolnshire company.

Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop said Andrew Ho, 35, had repaid $230,000 and signed over his ownership stake in the former software consulting firm AirLogic Internet Services.

Bishop said Ho, of the 300 block of Windsong Circle, was arrested in November 2006 and charged with stealing the money while serving as the company's treasurer.

After Ho was arrested, Bishop said, the owners of the company sued him in civil court and won an order requiring him to give back the money.

Ho produced documentation Friday that the money had been repaid, Bishop said, and she agreed not to pursue criminal prosecution.

AirLogic Internet Services was sold to new owners after the charges were brought against Ho, Bishop said.

She said if Ho had been convicted of the original charges brought against him, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison but would also have been eligible for probation.