FORMER LISLE PARK DISTRICT GOLF PRO CHARGED WITH THEFT

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that charges have been filed against the former Golf Pro at the River Bend Golf Course in Lisle.   Terry Remke, 46 (d.o.b. 3/30/1962) of 712 Country Club Drive, McHenry, faces Theft and Official Misconduct charges alleging he stole more than $10,000 from the Park District owned golf course while employed as Superintendent of Golf at the Club.  Remke turned himself in today at the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and was released after posting 10% of a $300,000 bench warrant issued by Judge Mark Dwyer yesterday.

  The charges against Remke, a fourteen-year employee at the golf club, allege that between 2005 and May, 2007, Remke stole Park District funds through a myriad of schemes.  It is alleged that Remke would accept checks from organizations sponsoring large golf outings but instead of issuing a receipt to the organization noting that the money collected was for greens fees, Remke would put the check in the cash register as a purchase of merchandise from the pro shop.  He would then allegedly steal merchandise equaling the amount on the check and then sell the stolen merchandise.  It is further alleged that Remke would issue duplicate receipts to golfers and then pocket their greens fees as well as allow friends to use the facility free of charge.

Officials at the Lisle Park District detected the missing funds and conducted their own internal investigation.  Following their investigation, they contacted the State’s Attorney’s Office and turned over their findings. 

“White collar crime is one of the most under-reported crimes in our society,” commented Birkett.  “The accused is often times a trusted member of an organization and knows how to cover  their tracks.  I commend the leadership at the Lisle Park District, particularly Scott Silver, Superintendent of Finance and Director of Parks and Recreation Dan Garvy as well as members of the Park District Board for their pro-active role in uncovering the alleged theft and for bringing this matter to us for prosecution.  I would also like to commend Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy Diamond for his efforts in uncovering Mr. Remke’s alleged schemes.”

Theft over $10,000 is a Class 2 Felony punishable by 3-7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC.)  Official Misconduct is a Class 3 Felony punishable by 2-5 years in IDOC.

“On behalf of the Lisle Park District, I would like to express our great appreciation to State’s Attorney Birkett and members of his staff for their diligence in pursuing this matter,” remarked Director Garvy.

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not proof of a defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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