Youth football treasurer admits stealing thousands from program in Illinois

FROM CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM -


When Theresa A. Carlquist faced financial trouble, she tapped funds from the Downers Grove youth football association she served as volunteer treasurer.

"When times got desperate, I stole from the league," she wrote in an email in late 2009, when evidence of her embezzling from the Panther Junior Football and Cheerleading program came to light. In another email, she said: "I have screwed up in a major way."
Thursday, she pleaded guilty to felony theft and was sentenced to six months of periodic imprisonment in the DuPage County Jail.
As part of the plea, Carlquist, 52, of Downers Grove, turned over a check for $88,000 as restitution for pocketing cash from the program's coffers and using its checking account and debit cards for personal use, Assistant State's Attorney Helen Kapas said.

Carlquist used the money to pay a $1,000 natural gas bill, put on a birthday party for one of her children and try to prop up a failing business, authorities said.
"We were close to failure because of what happened to us," Panther President Steve Lowery said.
The organization was once $35,000 in debt, he said, but vendors and other supporters helped it through its cash crunch.
"I'm just glad it's resolved," Carlquist said as she left the court.
She stood accused of embezzling more than $100,000. Even though the organization is not getting back all the money, Lowery said he was pleased with the deal.