Bloomington embezzlement case endangered 20 jobs

A bookkeeper's alleged embezzlement nearly led to the shutdown of the Bloomington Knights of Columbus food service operation, an officer says.

By DAVID CHANEN, Star Tribune

Last update: October 20, 2009 - 12:14 AM

The alleged embezzlement of more than $64,000 by a bookkeeper for the Bloomington Knights of Columbus nearly shut down the group's food service operation,, which could have cost 20 employees their jobs, an officer of the group said.

Darcella Lacquay, 49, was charged Monday with two felony counts of theft by swindle. She worked for the group for nearly two years.

Lacquay told police she had been forging checks in order to make house payments and because she had a gambling habit, according to a complaint filed Monday in Hennepin County District Court. An officer with the Knights of Columbus noticed his signature had been forged on checks during a routine audit, the complaint said.

All together, Lacquay had forged more than 60 checks, according to the complaint.

Lacquay was fired in July. The next day she voluntarily turned herself in to police. She said she had no idea how much money she had taken, but that the check forging became more frequent after she lost a second job in March 2008, the complaint said.

Lacquay was responsible for issuing payroll checks. She reprinted her own check, sometimes issuing two or three per pay period, the complaint said.

She disguised the theft by inputting the amount into a payroll tax category, and she cashed some of the checks and deposited others into her sister's bank account, but the sister didn't know she was doing it, the complaint said.

When she was caught, according to the complaint, Lacquay said, "It's my fault, and I'm an idiot."

The state will prosecute Lacquay as a "major economic offender" and seek an upward departure on sentencing guidelines if she is convicted, the complaint said. The crime is considered a major economic offense because of the amount of money Lacquay allegedly stole over a long period of time.

It also required a high level of sophistication, and she used her position of trust to accomplish the theft, the complaint said. Lacquay has two prior felony theft convictions.

Ray Bartolotta, the Grand Knight of the Bloomington Knights of Columbus Marian Council No. 3827, said Lacquay's embezzlement nearly led to the shutdown of the group's banquet facility and restaurant, which would have taken 20 jobs with it, he said, and Lacquay knew that taking the money could make that happen, he said.

"We will recover," he said.

The group's building is located at 1114 American Blvd. W. in Bloomington. The group is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year. Bartolotta said it has more than 1,100 members and is the largest of the state's 250 Knights of Columbus councils.

To help continue with their charitable activities, Bartolotta said the organization is holding a pancake breakfast fundraiser from 8:30 to noon on Sunday.

David Chanen • 612-673-4465

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