A former administrative professional for a Chicago-based company has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud after admitting to embezzling more than $615,000 over an eight-year period.
Crysta Lyon-Halbert, 54, of Tinley Park, Illinois, admitted in her plea agreement that she misappropriated the funds from 2015 to 2023 while serving in various administrative roles within the company's Corporate Governance function and Office of the Chief Executive Officer. According to court documents, Lyon-Halbert transferred company money into her personal bank account and used company credit cards for unauthorized purchases. These included storage rentals, rent payments, utility bills, car rentals, auto shop services, clothing, furniture, and other personal expenses.
The plea agreement details how Lyon-Halbert concealed her actions by falsely claiming that credit card payments were made to vendors who had provided legitimate services to the company.
Lyon-Halbert entered her guilty plea on November 14 before U.S. District Judge Elaine E. Bucklo. The charge of federal wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for February 24, 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's Chicago Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Hennessy is representing the government.
"Lyon-Halbert admitted in a plea agreement that she misappropriated the money from 2015 to 2023 while holding various administrative positions in the company’s Corporate Governance function and the Office of the Chief Executive Officer. Lyon-Halbert directed company funds to her personal bank account and made a series of unauthorized credit card purchases for her personal benefit, including storage rental space, rent payments, personal utility bills, car rentals, auto shop bills, clothing, furniture, and other items," according to court documents. "Lyon-Halbert concealed her misappropriation by falsely representing that the credit card payments were directed to vendors that had provided services to the company," as stated in the plea agreement.
