Employee Stole $500K from Naperville Law Firm

NAPERVILLE, IL — A former Naperville law firm employee has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $500,000 from the business over a six year period, according to a release from the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Le Anna Kelty, 55, of the 8800 block of Teal Lane in Wilmington, entered a guilty plea Friday morning to one count of theft in excess of $500,000, a class 1 non-probationable felony.

Beginning in November 2006 and going through February 2013, Kelty, on numerous occasions, forged her employers’ signatures and deposited unauthorized checks drawn against the firm’s bank accounts into her personal bank accounts, the release said.

Approximately one year after Kelty stopped working for the firm, her scheme unraveled when authorities at the firm discovered discrepancies in their books and, following an internal audit, contacted law enforcement.

“After years of stealing from a trusting employer, Le Anna Kelty’s deceit and greed finally caught up with her,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “Six years and more than $500,000 later, Ms. Kelty is now looking at a significant amount of time behind bars. I would like to thank the Naperville Police Department, particularly Detective Elena Deuchler, for their efforts on this case. I would like to thank Ms. Kelty’s former employer for their complete cooperation throughout this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Ken Tatarelis for his work in holding Ms. Kelty responsible for her criminal behavior.”

Kelty’s next court appearance is scheduled for sentencing on February 16, 2016. She faces a prison term of between four and fifteen years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.