Former Lake County employee admits to stealing on the job
A former clerk in the Lake County recorder of deeds office was placed on probation for two years Monday after she admitted stealing on the job.
Nicole Martinez, 32, of Zion, was also ordered to perform 500 hours of community service after pleading guilty to misdemeanor theft.
Police said Martinez, who worked at the office for about 12 years before being fired at the end of January, took small amounts of money from transactions she handled between January 2010 and her termination.
Martinez would cover the thefts by entering them in ledgers as voided or no-charge transactions.
On Jan. 18, Martinez pocketed some cash related to a transaction and failed to cover it on the books because she did not come to work the next day.
The discrepancy prompted an internal audit which showed $800 had been taken, generally in amounts ranging from $29 to $39.
Martinez was arrested after she admitted the thefts to detectives from the Lake County sheriff's office.
She was originally charged with the felony crimes of theft and official misconduct, but Assistant State's Attorney Danielle Pascucci agreed to reduce the charges in exchange for Martinez's plea.
Martinez also agreed to pay full restitution as part of her plea agreement.