DOWNTOWN — The former Field Museum employee accused of stealing more than $900,000 from the lakefront institution pleaded guilty Monday morning, federal authorities said.
Caryn Benson, 38, of Chicago pleaded guilty to one count of felony embezzlement Monday morning, said Joe Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago. Sentencing will be heard Aug. 25, and the charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, he said.
Benson, who was charged last month, entered into a plea agreement saying she stole just $33,000 from the museum despite the Field saying she took more than $900,000. Benson pocketed cash for museum memberships without recording the sales over seven years, Field officials previously told DNAinfo Chicago. The museum has since installed preventative measures including new security cameras to prevent future thefts.
Fitzpatrick said sentencing is still being determined because there's a "dispute" between parties in the case, which is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office because the Field receives federal subsidies.
Read the plea agreement below:
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