Chesco Woman Embezzles $194K From Employer, Steals Coworker's Identity: Authorities

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A Chester County woman has been charged after embezzling more than $194,000 from her employer, according to US District Attorney Louis D. Lappen's office. In addition, the woman obtained $100,000 in student loans for her children by using the stolen identity of her coworker, authorities allege.

Kimberly O'Toole, 49, of Downingtown, was a bookeeper at Miwon North America, an Exton-based chemicals company where her husband was president and General Manager, authorities said.

From 2012 to 2013, O'Toole used the access granted her in her job to open a fraudulent bank account in the company's name in 2012. She then intercepted checks from customers to Miwon and deposited them into the account, according to Lappen's office.

O'Toole then allegedly used the money for a wide variety of personal needs, such as paying her cable bill and making mortgage payments on her Downingtown home. The total amount embezzled was $194,193.

In addition, authorities allege that O'Toole stole the identity of a coworker using company information. She took out three fraudulent college loans in that individual's name on behalf of two of her children to pay their tuition to Penn State and North Carolina State, Lappen's office said. The total amount taken was $104,500.

O'Toole faces a maximum of 80 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted.

Patch file photo