PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The former accounting manager of Bard Optical has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly stealing $4.6 million from the company, according to a company spokesman.

Gayle Rentsch was indicted on charges related to her alleged theft of $4.8 million from the company over several years, said Mick Hall, the company’s president.

He said that on June 19, 2024, “management oversight” discovered the alleged theft and immediately reported it to authorities. The FBI and IRS began to lead an investigation.

“At the time of the alleged theft, Mrs. Rentsch was a highly respected member of our accounting team. As a family business, we placed a great deal of trust in Mrs. Rentsch, and we are now deeply disappointed by this breach of our trust,” Hall said.

She was fired

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