Taylorville, Illinois, Woman Sentenced to Three Years of Probation and Ordered to Pay $600,000 in Restitution for Stealing from the Christian County YMCA

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Taylorville, Illinois, woman, Lori Zeitler, 65, was sentenced on September 26, 2024, to three years of probation and ordered to pay $600,000 in restitution after being convicted of five counts of wire fraud.

At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Zeitler took advantage of her position of trust as an employee of the Christian County, Illinois, YMCA and stole at least $292,336.29 and was responsible for $600,000 in loss. Zeitler worked at the YMCA for 32 years in various roles, including bookkeeper. Zeitler’s theft was discovered when the YMCA switched to an internet-based accounting software.

Also at the hearing, U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough found that in addition to the money Zeitler took from the YMCA, she also broke the trust between the organization and the community. Judge Myerscough noted that Zeitler’s crimes against the YMCA were almost unbelievable.

On March 28, 2024, Zeitler appeared in court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. McNaught and pleaded guilty to all counts in the indictment.

The statutory penalties for wire fraud are up to twenty years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and restitution as set by the court.

“The impact of the defendant’s deception is wide reaching, as the money she stole deprived the Christian County YMCA of funds that should have gone towards needed facility improvements and to support programs for members,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierra Senor-Moore. “The restitution order is a just result that will help the YMCA to continue their mission in serving the community.”

“As a YMCA employee of 32 years, Lori Zeitler developed a long-time pattern of embezzlement, using her position of trust to steal from her employer, and ultimately shortchanging the community the YMCA serves,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson.  “We at the FBI and our law enforcement partners will always pursue justice in an effort to preserve the public’s trust in its valued institutions.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office; the Taylorville Police Department; and the Illinois State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Senor-Moore represented the government in the prosecution.