Lawyer faces theft charge

The former attorney for a custom homes builder was arrested Friday and charged with stealing $1.2 million.

But the attorney representing Bartholomew Kempff said his client has repaid the money and referred to the matter as "an accounting dispute."

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop said Kempff, 38, was the general counsel and director of development for Orren Pickell Designers and Builders, with offices in Lincolnshire and Northfield.

Between late 2002 and Aug. 21 last year, Bishop said, Kempff took a total of $1.2 million from the company's trust and escrow fund.

Kempff wrote checks to himself, to cash, and to pay his bills and taxes, Bishop said.

The scheme was discovered during an audit that began in late July, Bishop said.

"As soon as Orren Pickell learned of the possible misconduct, we contacted law enforcement officials," said Chicago attorney T.J. Sheehan, the company's current attorney. "We have been cooperating with the investigation and will continue to do so."

Waukegan attorney Steven McCollum said Kempff, of Winnetka, told company officials what he had done and paid back the money before his Aug. 21 resignation.

"I think when the facts come out, it will be evident that Mr. Kempff never had any intention of permanently depriving the company of its money," McCollum said. "I think what we are actually dealing with here is an accounting dispute."

Bishop said "some" of the money has been repaid to the company but added she could not be specific about the amount.

During a bond hearing before Associate Judge Daniel Shanes, Bishop said Kempff has surrendered his law license.

She did not object to McCollum's request that Kempff be released on a signature bond, but Shanes warned Kempff of the gravity of the situation.

"I am going to release you on your own recognizance, sir, but the information I have before me shows me that this is a very serious allegation," Shanes said. "I hope you take it seriously as well."

Shanes said Kempff must surrender his passport as a condition of his bond, and he is prohibited from traveling outside the state while the case is pending.

Bishop said Kempff faces a mandatory prison sentence of four to 15 years if convicted of theft over $500,000.

He is scheduled to be arraigned April 24 before Circuit Judge James Booras.