A Lakeland man has been arrested on charges he embezzled nearly $270,000 while employed as Walden Lake Golf & Country Club's event sales director.
William Kristopher Kagel, 38, of Lakeland was arrested Wednesday on a Polk County warrant alleging the theft, discovered in a May 2008 internal audit at the country club. He is charged with three first-degree felonies: scheme to defraud, grand theft and violating Florida's money laundering act.
The criminal complaint by the Polk County State Attorney's office alleges the thefts began in December 2004.
"Kagel's job put him in a position to receive deposit payments made to Walden Lake from a number of customers who had booked services and/or events" at the country club, the complaint states. Kagel diverted Walden Lake funds into a dormant savings account he opened at a Lakeland credit union to receive proceeds from a 2002 charity golf tournament, the complaint says.
Money from the savings account was later transferred to Kagel's personal checking account, and spent, the complaint says. The stolen deposits numbered 167, totaling $268,169, the complaint states.
During the audit, Kagel admitted the thefts to the country club owners and provided access to the savings account to aid the audit, the complaint states.
"Kagel offered to repay Walden Lake and provided cash as well as several worthless checks," the complaint states. "Shortly after, Kagel cut off all contact with Walden Lake."
A state attorney's office spokesman couldn't be reached on how much money was repaid.
Bail for Kagel was set at $15,000 on each of the three felony charges and he remained today in the Polk County Jail.
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