Former LOTS official accused of stealing more than $50,000

Wolfe, 26, was assistant director of Lee-Ogle Transportation 5 years

DIXON – A former Lee-Ogle Transportation System manager is charged with embezzling more than $50,000 in cash from the agency between 2018 and 2020, according to court records and Lee County State’s Attorney Charley Boonstra.

Kari Wolfe, 26, of Dixon, who was hired as assistant director at LOTS in fall 2017, was indicted Sept. 17 on three felony charges: theft of more than $10,000 but less than $100,000 in cash, theft of more than $500 but less than $10,000 in cash, and official misconduct.

The first count is punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison, the second and third by 2 to 5 years.

Wolfe, who also is an administrative office assistant at the Lake Carroll Association, posted $5,000 of her $50,000 bond on Sept. 20. Her first court appearance is Oct. 6.

She hired Sterling attorney James Mertes. Boonstra is prosecuting.

Kathleen Schultz

Kathleen A. Schultz

Kathleen Schultz is a Sterling native with 40 years of reporting and editing experience in Arizona, California, Montana and Illinois.