Woman who stole more than $100,000 from North Aurora company gets jail, probation
Saying she violated her employer's trust, a Kane County judge Thursday sentenced a woman to 180 days in jail, four years of probation and ordered her to pay $155,767 in restitution for a multiyear theft while second in charge at a Dart Container plant in North Aurora.
Kathleen A. Kibler, 58, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, pleaded guilty in January to felony theft of more than $100,000 and left her fate in the hands of Judge John Barsanti to sentence her and determine restitution.
At the time, Kane County prosecutors argued Kibler stole some $232,000 from 2012 through 2015 by using and abusing a company issued credit card and checking account. She worked as an operations manager for the company from 1999 to 2015.
Over the past couple months, attorneys have argued before Barsanti to determine the final restitution amount. Prosecutors noted the $232,000 when Kibler pleaded guilty, but Barsanti said Thursday that was not necessarily an admission and final restitution would be decided by him.
In his ruling, Barsanti said not all of the $232,000 in losses reported by Dart would conclusively be tied to specific conduct by Kibler. Barsanti ordered Kibler to pay the $155,767 restitution over five years, beginning July 1 with a monthly payment of about $2,600. The five years also could be extended two more years if she didn't pay in full.
Barsanti also had the restitution be issued as a judgment, or lien, against Kibler that would be separate and enforceable even after her probation ends.
"There was a violation of trust by the defendant," Barsanti said. "Even at the end of seven years, my intent is to have a stand-alone restitution order that can be collected."
Prosecutor Sarah Seberger had argued a prison sentence was needed to deter others from committing financial crimes and that Kibler spent money on a home addition, pet food, home goods and other items.
Assistant Public Defender Lauren Savastio noted her client had no previous arrests, had not missed a court hearing and paid back $3,000 to a collection agency to settle part of a debt owed on the company credit card.
Kibler, who has been free on bond since she surrendered to authorities after a warrant was issued in late 2016, is due back in court June 21 to determine her schedule for periodic imprisonment so she won't get fired from her job.
Kibler can have her 180-day sentence cut in half for good behavior in jail. If she violates probation, she could be resentenced to up to 15 years in prison.