Ex-Bookkeeper Used $600K From Restaurants For Personal Use: Feds

CHICAGO, IL — A former bookkeeper for two West Loop restaurants is accused of funneling more than $600,000 from those businesses to herself over a six-year period in order to pay off a variety of personal expenses, according to federal prosecutors. Renee M. Johnson, 60, of Chicago, was arrested and charged with mail fraud Wednesday stemming from the allegations.

According to the U.S. attorney's office, Johnson kept the books for Blackbird and Avec — restaurants owned by One Off Hospitality LLC, the corporation behind several bars and eateries around Chicago — between 2011 and 2017. In that capacity, Johnson had access to One Off's bank accounts and was responsible for processing checks to vendors.

During that time, prosecutors allege that Johnson cut herself hundreds of unauthorized checks from One Off’s accounts to pay for personal expenses, such as credit card bills and the mortgages on real estate investments around the city, according to the federal complaint. In total, Johnson's alleged actions cost One Off about $604,113, with Blackbird and Avec suffering the biggest losses, prosecutors said.

Johnson allegedly covered up for her scheme by keeping One Off's books filled with phony entries, the complaint stated. In some cases, she would write checks from the company's account to people or parties she personally owed money to, then cut another check with the same number to cover for acutal business expenses, prosecutors allege.

A One Off accountant helping to set up a new bookkeeping system at company's restaurants first discovered possible wrongdoing by Johnson in August, according to the Chicago Tribune. When presented with the alleged evidence gathered against her later that month by corporate officials, Johnson admitted to her actions, the report stated. One Off eventually sued Johnson for embezzlement earlier this year, the report added.

Johnson was set to make an initial court appearance later Wednesday, April 4. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.

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