If you drive about an hour north of downtown Chicago, you will arrive in McHenry County. A woman there was recently charged with felony theft and forgery for allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from her suburban Gilberts employer.

The 39-year-old Spring Grove woman is accused by Kane County prosecutors of taking the money from 2016 to earlier this year.

The Kane County state’s attorney’s office says the woman worked as a secretary at the Gilberts business, allegedly writing business checks to herself and then forging the owner’s signature on them. She’s accused of taking $135,085.

Chicago’s WLS TV reports that she could be sentenced to serve up to 15 years in prison if she is convicted of the two felony counts of theft and six felony counts of forgery.

The McHenry County woman’s case involves allegations typical in white-collar crime cases. Though there are infinite variations in the details of these typically complex cases, most have this denominator: someone is accused of using deceit for financial gain.

Many white-collar crimes involve fraud. Securities fraud, for instance, involves deceit that revolves around the trading of stocks and similar financial instruments.

Securities fraud can include allegations ranging from insider trading to schemes in which someone tries to lure investors with false claims about a company’s income, prospects, capabilities, etc.

Another common type of white-collar crime is embezzlement. One of the most famous cases was, like the recent charges against the McHenry County woman, also in Chicago’s suburbs.

Rita Crundwell embezzled more than $50 million from the town of Dixon, Illinois. Though she pleaded guilty, her attorney was able to forge a deal with prosecutors that will result in Crundwell leaving prison about a decade from now.

Of course, those who have done no wrong will fight for justice and freedom. Whether you have been falsely accused or you have made a mistake and want to avoid harsh punishment, you should call a lawyer experienced in the complexities of white-collar criminal defense.

Contact Darryl A. Goldberg at 773-793-3196 to discuss your case and legal options.