Former Dart employee admits to stealing $232,000
A former operations manager at Dart Container Corp. in North Aurora faces prison after admitting to a systematic theft of more than $232,000 by using company issued checks and a credit card over three years for personal expenses, a home improvement project and other items.
Kathleen A. Kibler, 58, formerly of Port St. Lucie, Florida, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of felony theft of more than $100,000 in exchange for Kane County prosecutors' dismissing other, less severe charges.
Kibler was arrested in late November 2016 after a warrant was issued; she was slated to have a jury trial before Judge John Barsanti in February.
Instead, Barsanti will sentence Kibler March 23. She entered a "cold" or "blind" plea in which a defendant admits guilt without having an agreement with prosecutors and leaves the sentence in the hands of a judge.
Kibler faces a prison term of up to 15 years, and probation is an option. She also could be ordered to pay restitution for the thefts, which prosecutors say occurred from 2012 to 2015.
Assistant State's Attorney Kaitlin Kerstetter said Kibler was employed as an operations manager at Dart from February 1999 to June 2015, and she was issued a company credit card and company checkbook.
Kibler used the credit card 590 times to rack up $111,014.59 in unauthorized purchases as Menard's, Home Depot, and other stores for personal items, pet supplies and a riding lawn mower, Kerstetter said.
Kibler also made $6,000 in purchases of books, camping equipment and an Xbox 360 from Amazon, Kerstetter told Barsanti.
Finally, Kibler wrote $111,236.55 in checks from the company account, including $86,361.55 to a contractor for construction on her home and also wrote checks to herself and son-in-law.
Barsanti declined a request to revoke Kibler's bond and have her jailed until her sentencing. Assistant Public Defender Lauren Savastio noted Kibler had no previous criminal record and made every required court appearance.
Kibler has been free on a recognizance bond.