PEORIA, Ill. — A former Maui Jim employee has been charged with fraud.
Earlier this week, a federal grand jury returned an indictment, charging Erica Hornof, 35, of Bradford, with three counts of mail fraud and three counts of wire fraud.
The charges stemming from the alleged theft of sunglass parts from Maui Jim headquarters in Peoria over the past year.
The indictment alleges Hornof, a lead repair technician, had access to the company’s computer systems, inventory parts and the mailroom.
Hornof allegedly stole parts to assemble sunglasses, shipping them to a pair of individuals, who then sold them on the internet and paid Hornof through PayPal.
Hornof also allegedly defrauded Maui Jim Sunglasses of over $100,000. She’s expected in court next month.
If convicted, the maximum penalty for each count is 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine.
