Tinley Park Woman, 54, Embezzled $615K From Former Employer: U.S. Attorney

CHICAGO — A Tinley Park woman and former administrative professional for a Chicago company has pleaded guilty to a federal fraud charge for embezzling more than $615,000 from the company, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Crysta Lyon-Halbert, 54, admitted in a plea agreement that she misappropriated the money from 2015 to 2023, while holding various administrative positions in the company’s corporate governance function and the office of the chief executive officer.

Lyon-Halbert funneled company funds to her personal bank account and made a series of unauthorized credit card purchases for her personal benefit, including storage rental space, rent payments, personal utility bills, car rentals, auto shop bills, clothing, furniture and other items, the plea agreement states.

Lyon-Halbert concealed her misappropriation by falsely representing that the credit card payments were directed to vendors that had provided services to the company, the plea agreement states.

Lyon-Halbert pleaded guilty on Nov. 14 to a federal wire fraud charge, which is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.

Her sentencing is set for 2 p.m. Feb. 24, 2026.