Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing from DGS Homecoming Fund

A Darien woman accused of stealing $4,000 from 's homecoming fund pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of theft in connection with the incident, according to DuPage County State's Attorney Robert B. Berlin. 

Ruth Ann Kadlec, of the 900 block of Plainfield Road in Darien, was sentenced to 15 days in the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program and two years of probation. She was also ordered to make full restitution to the school, which she has already done. 

after the school discovered approximately $4,000 was missing from receipts of the school's Homecoming Variety Show. Kadlec served as secretary to the South High School activities director before the incident.

Superintendent Mark McDonald said Kadlec had been absent from her job in the days following Homecoming Week. When she returned, the school's bookkeeper asked her to deposit the funds, which Kadlec said she would do, according to McDonald.

During a final accounting of the variety show Oct. 8, it was discovered the deposit had not been made, he said. Activities Director John Aldworth asked Kadlec where the money was, and Kadlec said she had taken it home, officials say. When Aldworth instructed her to return it, Kadlec told him she didn't have the money, McDonald said.

She resigned her post and turned herself in to the police department Oct. 15. 

According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's office, Kadlec admitted to taking the money for rent and to go shopping after being questioned.

The district  in late October. 

Elaine Johnson and Reporter Elizabeth Major contributed to this story.