A former treasurer of a booster club in Rockford, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges after admitting to embezzling more than $34,000 from the organization.
Shondra McLarty, 55, served as treasurer for the Tumbling and Acro Boosters Club (TAB) between 2023 and 2024. According to her plea agreement, McLarty used TAB’s business debit card and issued checks from the club’s account for personal expenses unrelated to any legitimate club activity. She also admitted to changing the mailing address on TAB’s bank accounts to her own residence in order to conceal her actions.
McLarty entered her guilty plea on Tuesday. The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston will determine the actual sentence at a hearing scheduled for June 23, 2026.
The announcement was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office. The Rockford Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Kim is representing the government in this case.
“MCLARTY fraudulently used TAB’s business debit card and fraudulently caused TAB to issue business checks, which she used for personal expenses and not for any legitimate business purpose,” according to court documents.
“According to the plea agreement, McLarty admitted to concealing her misappropriation of funds by changing the mailing address of TAB’s business bank accounts to her personal residence.”
Sentencing guidelines will be considered when determining McLarty’s punishment.
