Wauconda woman gets 3 years for $355,000 theft

A Wauconda woman admitted Tuesday that she stole roughly $355,000 while working for a Lincolnshire investment firm and agreed to pay back the entire amount.

Christina Wetzell, 38, was ordered to spend the next three years in jail when not working after pleading guilty to felony theft.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Victor O’Block said Wetzell, of the 300 block of Woodland Avenue, was employed as a clerk for Interior Investments in Lincolnshire in 2006 and 2007.

Wetzell, who had access to the company’s accounts receivables, created phony business accounts and sent invoices to Interior Investments for $355,000 between December 2006 and August 2007.

Company officials discovered the ruse and confronted Wetzell, who admitted stealing the money because she was having financial problems, O’Block said.

Lincolnshire police were called and Wetzell refused to answer their questions, O’Block said, but she was charged with felony theft in October 2007.

Shortly after her arrest, the court ordered authorities to freeze $92,734 that police had found in bank accounts controlled by Wetzell.

On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes ordered that money turned over to the circuit clerk’s office as a down payment on the restitution.

Shanes warned Wetzell she must repay the remaining $262,000 during the four years she is on probation or she could face resentencing in the case.

Shanes said Wetzell could face up to 15 years in prison if she does not repay the balance of the money.

Wetzell was also ordered to perform 200 hours of public service and was barred from taking any job where she has access to cash or checks while she is on probation.