SYCAMORE – A former executive of Brian Bemis Automotive Group will serve a seven-year prison sentence after pleading guilty earlier this month to stealing money from the company.

David R. Painter, 47, of Sycamore was charged in February with stealing more than $500,000 from his former employer. In addition to the prison term, Painter will have to repay $1.4 million in restitution to the business.

"[Painter] entered a blind plea and the parties got together and agreed upon this sentence," said DeKalb County First State's Attorney Bill Engerman.

"When it's all said and done, he owes Brian Bemis an amount in the neighborhood of $632,000."

Painter was sentenced Tuesday in DeKalb County court.

Painter's insurance company has already paid $500,000 to Brian Bemis – an amount that will be subtracted from the money he owes the company, Engerman said.

Police also recovered $9,000 cash in Painter's house at the time of his arrest which will be put toward the $1.4 million payment. Other credits, like $150,000 Painter returned to Brian Bemis before he was charged with the crime, also will be subtracted, Engerman said.

Painter wrote checks to himself in the amount of $1.35 million, according to documents in the case, and stole $630,000 between 2006 and 2008.

Executives questioned Painter after they found some anomalies in the company's finances, Sean Smith, attorney for Brian Bemis, has said.

Painter held several positions during his time with Bemis, but his employment as chief operating officer ended soon after money was found missing earlier this year.