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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Bail set at $100,000 for office manager accused of embezzlement


Associated Press

CHICAGO — The office manager of a Chicago law firm has been accused of stealing more than $850,000 from her work place over seven years.

Felony theft charges were filed against 52-year-old Joan M. Sanchez of Oak Lawn for allegedly writing 234 checks on an account of Kelly Olson Michod Dehan & Richter L.L.C., where she has worked for 24 years.

Cook County prosecutors allege the thefts occurred between October 2002 and April 2009.

Prosecutors allege Sanchez deposited most of the checks in a personal checking account. They say 58 checks, totaling more $47,000, where made payable to a lunch club.

Prosecutors say the scheme was discovered while Sanchez was vacationing in Hawaii and a check drawn from the firm's bank account bounced.

After attorney Al Knorr said Sanchez was destitute, Judge Maria Kuriakos-Ciesil on Wednesday set bail at $100,000.