Kane circuit clerk employee accused of theft, forgery

A deputy clerk at the Kane County circuit court clerk's office has been charged with altering paperwork on fines owed to the office by residents and pocketing the money, according to prosecutors and court records.

Kelli D. Brackett, 39, of the 600 block of Hill Street, Sycamore, was charged this week with stealing several thousand dollars from September 2014 through August 2015.

Brackett has been accused of four felonies: theft of between $500 and $10,000, forgery, official misconduct, and tampering with records.

Prosecutors said officials began investigating after a resident complained he paid a different amount in a fine and a discrepancy was uncovered.

"We did find that there were irregularities. We turned it over to the sheriff, which did its own investigation," Circuit Court Clerk Thomas Hartwell said. "The fact the irregularities were discovered is proof we have systems in place to monitor the situation. We have checks and balances in place."

Hartwell said Brackett is on paid leave. Citing employee confidentiality, Hartwell said he could not comment on whether her employment as deputy clerk would be terminated or how long she had worked in the office. Hartwell said Brackett was already on the clerk's staff before he was elected and took office in late 2012.

Brackett turned herself in to authorities Friday morning, posted bond and was released. She is next due in court Feb. 5.

Brackett faces anywhere from probation to seven years in prison if convicted. She does not have any previous criminal arrests in Kane County, records show.