A Kewanee woman accepted a plea deal on May 2, 2024, for stealing from the Kewanee Park District between July 23rd and September 5th, while she was employed as a cook at the 19th Hole restaurant. Barbara Boss pleaded guilty to theft of less than $500 from a government agency. She was sentenced to 30 months of Conditional Discharge, 180 days in the Henry County Jail (stayed pending compliance), day-for-day credit, credit for time served, a $1,000 fine, assessments, a $500 Public Defender fee, and $425.72 in restitution to the Kewanee Park District.
Her son is also charged with stealing from the Kewanee Park District for charging personal items to the park district credit card. Sergeant Eric Peed, with the Kewanee Police Department, testified at the Preliminary Hearing that Barbara Boss admitted to using the park district credit card for personal use in her interview with Kewanee Police, which was recorded. Parks Director, Andy Dwyer, contacted the Kewanee Police Department on August 30, 2023, with concerns that Barbara Boss was using the park district credit card for personal use. There was under $425.72 from Sav-A-Lot and $1,601 from Walmart in purchases for personal use.