Accused of Embezzling $1.5 Million From Joliet Landscaping Firm, Robin Rodriguez Learns Her Sentence

JOLIET, IL — For the past eight years, downtown Joliet criminal defense Chuck Bretz has made courtroom appearance after appearance, prolonging the embezzlement case for Robin Rodriguez, the Joliet woman who stole at least $1.5 million from her employer, Tepa Landscaping, according to the Will County Sheriff's investigation from 2018.

But in recent days, Rodriguez returned to the Will County Courthouse to bring her criminal case to a close in front of Will County Judge Fred Harvey. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to felony theft and received 48 months of court probation. She was ordered to serve 180 days in jail, but that's a technicality. The sentence order explains that she will be credited for 649 days of time already served under house arrest.

"Jail sentence portion satisfied," Judge Harvey's order reads.

Rodriguez was ordered to pay $3,780 in court costs and a probation fee of $50 per month and restitution of $218,000.

Rodriguez's Will County jail bond from 2018 of $25,000 will apply toward her restitution payment. "Defendant is authorized to pre-pay restitution in the amount of $25,000 for the above-mentioned matter," Judge Harvey's order read.

In November, Joliet Patch reported that Robin Rodriguez, who is accused of stealing more than $1.5 million from Joliet's Tepa Landscaping on South Briggs Street, had managed to prolong efforts by the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow from taking her to trial for seven full years — and counting.

Will County Sheriff's detectives arrested Rodriguez when she was 49 years old, back on Dec. 27, 2018. She turned 56 years old last May. A resident of Joliet, Rodriguez only spent one day in the county jail before regaining her freedom until Illinois' now-abolished cash bail system.

Back in January 2019, Joliet Patch reported a civil lawsuit was filed against Rodriguez by her former employer, Tepa Landscaping. The small family-run business on Joliet's Briggs Street accused Robin M. Rodriguez of stealing more than $1.5 million since the time of her hiring in the summer of 2010. The civil lawsuit also named her husband, Michael Rodriguez, as a co-defendant. The Will County civil lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and the case was closed in May 2021.

Back in December 2018, under the old bail system, Robin Rodriguez's bail was set at $250,000. After spending one night in the Will County Jail, on Dec. 27, 2018, a relative paid the 10 percent bail-bond deposit of $25,000, on Dec. 28, 2018, court records reflect.

According to Tepa Landscaping's lawsuit, Robin Rodriguez began working for them as a part-time office manager and bookkeeper in July 2010. She made $14 per hour. Tepa is the company of Jose Plascencia, who was the sole shareholder and officer. The partnership also involved Jose's brother, Ramon, "who participated in the operation and management of the business and shared in Tepa's earnings and profits," court records noted.

"Prior to her hiring by Tepa, defendant Robin Rodriguez has (sic) developed a close personal relationship with Jose Plascencia, his wife-to-be, Carrie Plascencia, Ramon Plascencia and his wife, Chris Plascencia by reason of the following events and interactions ... Robin Rodriguez was associated with St. Raymond Nonnatus Roman Catholic Church as a volunteer or sponsor, assisting catechumens in the process of conversion to Roman Catholicism," the lawsuit states.

"Robin Rodriguez acted as the sponsor assisting Carrie Plascencia in the process of Carrie's conversion to Roman Catholicism. Carrie Plascencia and through her, Jose, Ramon and Chris came to respect and esteem Robin Rodriguez and regard her as a person of high morality, honesty and personal integrity," according to Tepa's lawsuit filed by Joliet attorney Michael L. Bolos.

According to court records, Robin Rodriguez lives in the 3900 block of Brenton Drive in Joliet.