Crime & Safety

Rush Oak Park Hospital Employee Charged with Stealing $288K

Deborah Wilberding, 44, of Naperville, is charged with stealing nearly $300,000 from Rush Oak Park Hospital over six years.

Rush Oak Park Hospital's finance department was tipped off by an unnamed financial institution on Aug. 10, according to reporting by the Chicago Tribune.

Deborah Willberding, 44, of Naperville, was placed on administrative leave as an audit of the hospital's records began, which later revealed that Willberding had stolen nearly $300,000 over six years, the hospital found.

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On Aug. 24, Willberding was fired and Oak Park police were notified, reports said.

Willberding was charged with one count of felony theft.

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According to Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the state's attorney’s office, Willberding used at least one credit card for personal use and was also reimbursed by the hospital for purchases with her own money. The alleged scheme lasted from February 2006 to Sept. 23 this year. Conklin said the overall total resulted in Willberding acquiring $288,357.18 over six years.

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