By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The former owners of a Wilby’s location in Warsaw are suing a former employee who stole over $65,000 from their business.

A civil plenary was filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Feb. 9 by Scott and Kellie Williams, who owned Wilby’s when the theft occurred.

The defendant is Sherry Gatke, who worked at the Wilby’s location on Lake Street from July 2016 through July 2017. The Wilby’s has since become a Circle K location.

In August 2017, Wilby’s representatives discovered financial shortages from transactions Gatke completed while she was working. Gatke told officers she used the money to pay bills, with some being given to a relative of hers who was incarcerated at the time.

In April 2018, Gatke received a four-year sentence at the Kosciusko County Jail, with three years suspended. At that time, a restitution judgment in the amount of $65,685 was filed against Gatke. Since then, Gatke has paid a total of $15,425 toward the judgment, with the last payment being $70 on Aug. 24, 2022.

According to the suit, the Williams are entitled to treble damages for the loss resulting from Gatke’s acts. Treble damages would result in the Williams being awarded three times the actual damages.

The Williams are requesting judgment against Gatke in the amount of $50,260, which is the remaining restitution Gatke must pay; treble damages; and court costs.