A former Jonathan Association employee is facing theft charges after she allegedly stole more than $9,000 from the large homeowner’s group.

Kimberly Ferrari, 37, of Chaska, was charged with two counts of felony theft by the Carver County Attorney’s Office Monday. She was employed as the Association’s bookkeeper from 2005 to 2007.

"Ferrari is charged with using the Association’s credit card without authorization to make numerous purchases and cash advances for personal gain in an amount over $9,000," a press release from the County Attorney’s Office stated.

According to the release, Ferrari allegedly "made the purchases with the Association’s credit card and manipulated credit card statements to reflect business related expenses rather than personal purchases." 

The criminal complaint details the alleged charges. They include nearly $1,500 for the drug Fioriced, $1,688 for NutriSystem products and cash advances totaling almost $3,200.

Ferrari also allegedly charged hundreds of dollars for restaurant purchases, well drilling, western wear, car washes and salon services. The complaint reveals alleged charges were made from Sept. 2006 through July 2007.

“(Ferrari) was able to continue to make personal purchases without the knowledge of the Jonathan Association Board because online credit card statements that (she) submitted in support of these personal charges were manipulated to match the false entries made in the general business ledger,” the complaint stated.

Ferrari’s alleged charges were changed to indicate purchases were instead made at places like Office Depot, Office Max and Staples.

According to court records, Ferrari also faced financial transaction fraud charges in 2000 for allegedly using a roommate’s credit card to make 1-900 calls to a dating service. Charges were later dismissed after Ferrari paid restitution.

Jonathan Association treasurer Mike Liebe said that they now have a “separation of duty” when it comes to their bookkeeping process.

“The person who books the expenses is not authorized to make purchases,” he explained.

They also have their payments scrutinized by their CPA firm, he said. “Everything gets looked at five different times.”

Changes to their bookkeeping system were already in the works during Ferrari’s tenure as an administrative assistant, Liebe said.

“We knew we needed some separation of duty,” said Liebe. “Some more policing.”

Liebe also said that they now do background checks on potential employees, though he did not think they did them at the time Ferrari was hired.

Ferrari’s first court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 12.