Hewitt Employees Face Felony Charges
Three former employees of Hewitt Associates, a Chicago-based human resources firm, face felony charges for allegedly defrauding the company out of tens of thousands of dollars in tuition reimbursements.
Those recently charged include Channel Clemons, 33, Kristopher McLendon, 30, and Kenya McMillan, 28. These three are among a group of 14 former employees all suspected of scamming Hewitt out of over $100,000 tuition reimbursements.
While Clemons, McLendon and McMillan are the latest to have been arrested, they also face the most serious charges: In addition to being charged with forgery (which is the only charge their other 11 co-workers face), McLendon and McMillan also face charges of class-three felony theft. Clemons has been charged with felony forgery and class-two felony theft.
A class-two felony theft charge generally indicates that more money has been taken, the defendant has a record of theft or violence was used during the theft.
Details of the Case
According the Hewitt’s records, this group of employees had been collecting fraudulent payments for tuition reimbursements since October 2005.
Hewitt has a policy of repaying employees up to $5,000 for the cost of further education and/or training. To claim such reimbursements, employees are required to submit paperwork verifying they have enrolled in and ultimately completed the course or program. Employees also have to submit their final grades, as company reimbursements are only granted if students have performed adequately in the course.
According to authorities, each of the 14 employees facing felony charges scammed tuition reimbursements by doing one or more of the following:
- Submitting enrollment paperwork but failing to attend the stated classes
- Failing to complete classes despite turning in paperwork that stated they had completed the courses
- Forging grades on paperwork submitted to ensure they would receive reimbursements
Police Investigation Continues
Police are continuing to investigate this string of forgery and theft. Although they expect that more will be arrested in this case, authorities have stated that they don’t suspect that these employees acted together or as part of some conspiracy.
(Source: The Chicago Daily Herald)
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