David Kolbe sat in the second row of the gallery Tuesday morning as Kosciusko County Superior Court I Judge Duane Huffer read the sentence for Kolbe’s former employee, Cheryl Redden.
Redden was found guilty of writing 48 checks to herself and her boyfriend, Ron Redden Jr., from Kolbe’s accounts while she worked at Kolbe’s law office off of North Washington Street.
She was sentenced to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, three years on the first count of forgery and three years on the second count of forgery. Huffer suspended the first 2-1/2 years of Redden’s sentence and put her on probation. As an additional part of Redden’s judgment, she was ordered to pay $66,262.51 to her former employer.
Redden was charged with two counts of forgery, a Class C felony, and two counts of theft, a Class D felony.
Defense attorney Antony Garza made it clear to the court that Redden was pregnant and would need time with her baby.
Garza also informed Huffer that Redden had no priors, she did have dependents and would respond well to probation and a shorter sentence.
Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Hampton told the judge that Redden was in a position of trust and what she did was a breach of that trust.
Hampton also asked that the judge give a judgment that is fair to both parties and which includes restitution to Kolbe.
During sentencing, Huffer spoke directly to Redden.
“That which bothers me is that you were in a position of trust, you were relied upon and your honesty was expected, and there was a length and depth of dishonesty,” Huffer said.
After the sentencing, Kolbe had few comments on the matter, but did issue a statement.
“By way of metaphor, we put locks on our doors to keep honest people and thieves out. Unfortunately, we left our home open to Mrs. Redden,” Kolbe said.
