Married couple accused of embezzling over $275k while the husband worked at Hobart contracting company
*Editor’s note – The story has been updated with the new court information on the two people who were charged*
(WFRV) – A married couple from Bonduel was officially charged after allegedly embezzling over $275,000 from a contracting company while the husband worked there.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Local 5, 54-year-old John Petcka and his wife 54-year-old Deobrah Petcka have been charged in an apparent embezzlement scheme. Back in December of 2022, authorities were notified of an embezzlement complaint from the owners of a contracting company in Hobart.
An investigation reportedly showed that a total of 404 checks were issued by then-employee John Petcka. These checks were drawn on the company bank account between November 2017 and October 2022.
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The checks reportedly totaled $275,650.96. The complaint alleges that all of these checks were unauthorized. The complaint says that John’s wife, Deborah, was listed on QuickBooks for cashing checks. This allegedly indicated that she was cashing checks at Menards.
Authorities spoke with the business owners who said John was hired as an office manager in 2017. John reportedly did payroll expenses and was later terminated in February of 2023.
The complaint says that John had a signature stamp of the owner’s signature. The owners told authorities that John was never permitted to buy anything for personal use.
It is alleged that John issued 65 unauthorized checks to himself totaling $128.813.32. One of the checks was reportedly for $30,000. Additionally, one check was issued to a car dealership for $26,000.
This check was reportedly for a truck. The complaint also claims that there was a check issued for the purchase of a personal off-road vehicle for $5,913.
John is also accused of issuing 113 unauthorized checks to Menards that totaled $32,201.37.
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Three unauthorized checks totaling $2,306.10 were issued by John to Deborah. The complaint says that she never worked or contracted for the company.
Below is a breakdown of the charges the two are facing:
John Petcka
Felony Theft – Business Setting Over $100,000
Felony
Up to 12 and a half years in prison
Unauthorized use of an Entity’s Identifying Information or Documents
Felony
Up to six years in prison
Unauthorized use of an Entity’s Identifying Information or Documents
Felony
Up to six years in prison
Unauthorized use of an Entity’s Identifying Information or Documents
Felony
Up to six years in prison
Unauthorized use of an Entity’s Identifying Information or Documents
Felony
Up to six years in prison
Unauthorized use of an Entity’s Identifying Information or Documents
Felony
Up to six years in prison
Unauthorized use of an Entity’s Identifying Information or Documents
Felony
Up to six years in prison
Unauthorized use of an Entity’s Identifying Information or Documents
Felony
Up to six years in prison
Unauthorized use of an Entity’s Identifying Information or Documents
Felony
Up to six years in prison
Deborah Petcka
Theft-Business Setting Over $100,000 (Party to a Crime)
Felony
Identity Theft – Obtain Money or Credit
Felony
Court records show that both were in court on April 29. John had his signature bond set at $10,000 and is scheduled to be back in court on May 30 for a preliminary hearing. Deborah had her signature bond set at $5,000 and is due back in court on May 21 for a preliminary hearing.
The two were told to not discuss the case with each other, according to court records.
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Local 5 will continue to update this story as the case moves forward.
