Probation, restitution for ex-employee who stole $142K from Palatine business

A former employee of a Palatine seal-coating company pleaded guilty Monday to a theft charge alleging she stole more than $140,000 from the business over four years.

Carissa Pasternak Casimer of Crystal Lake, along with her husband Kyle Casimer, were sentenced to 24 months probation and restitution as part of the plea agreement.

Carissa Casimer, 40, was ordered to pay $142,578 in restitution over the next two years. Kyle Casimer, 41, was ordered to pay $2,170 over the same period. The couple are also prohibited from contacting the victim.

According to authorities, Carissa Casimer opened two company credit cards without authorization. Between August 2019 and September 2023, authorities said, she and her husband used the cards to purchase items from Amazon and DoorDash and to make payments to Nicor, State Farm, and ComEd, ultimately costing DeMarr Sealcoating about $144,748.

In her victim-impact statement to a Cook County judge, co-owner Linda DeMarr Johnstin said she and her family felt violated by someone they had trusted and considered a friend.

“It appears they have no conscience, no remorse, do not value friendship and lack the common traits of morals and values,” said Johnstin, who also expressed disappointment that incarceration was not a part of the couple’s plea agreement.

“Something is seriously wrong with our justice system when someone can steal over $140,000 for four years and get probation,” she added.