Glen Ellyn Resident Pleads Guilty to Stealing $46K

A Glen Ellyn resident entered a blind plea of guilty to stealing more than $46,000 from her former employer. 

Lisa Van Bogget, 43, of Glen Ellyn plead guilty to theft, one count of online theft and one count of official misconduct after stealing funds from the village of Westmont. 

Van Bogget was Westmont's village finance director from Nov. 15, 2007 to Aug. 24, 2010, when she wrote unauthorized checks from the village's account to pay for her own personal expenses, which include credit card bills.  

Her scheme unraveled when village officials uncovered an unauthorized check Van Boggest wrote to herself. The village of Westmont then notified the authorities. 

"I am sure Westmont employees are devastated by Van Bogget’s betrayal of the trust that was placed in her and I would like to stress that her actions are not indicative of the honest men and women who serve the residents of Westmont,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin in a statement to the press. 

Van Bogget entered her plea this morning in front of Judge John Kinsella. Typically in a plea bargain the prosecution will recommend a lighter sentence, which a judge usually follows. However, a blind plea is different. In this instance the prosecution will make no recommendations, leaving it up to the judge to determine the final sentencing.

Van Bogget's next court appearance is scheduled for July 7 for a sentencing hearing.