After settling $138K theft suit with office manager, firm discovers $164K more gone, goes to police
In 2012, a suburban Chicago lawyer sued his former office manager, contending that she had stolen about $138,000 in 2012.
The lawsuit was settled later that year by attorney J. Brick Van Der Snick and his ex-employee, Jordan Terry, on undisclosed terms, the Aurora Beacon News (sub. req.) reports.
But then Van Der Snick discovered through an audit that nearly $164,000 more had gone missing from his St. Charles firm’s operating account in 2011. He went to police, who charged Terry last month with felony theft, according to the Beacon and an earlier Daily Herald article.
“I’m so astounded and angry,” Van Der Snick told the Beacon, noting that he had strengthened his firm’s financial practices since Terry’s departure. During her almost eight years of employment at the firm, she handled both accounts receivable and accounts payable, the newspaper says.
The Daily Herald reports that Terry is accused in the criminal case of depositing checks from the firm that should have been sent to clients into her own personal accounts.
Neither article includes any comment from Terry or her counsel. She apparently pleaded not guilty, was released on $10,000 bond and has been allowed to live in Indiana while the case is pending.
“We made some adjustments. We’re bouncing back. We’re moving ahead,” Van Der Snick tells the Beacon.
