A Wilmette martial arts instructor and studio manager was charged with theft after allegedly diverting payments from clients into a personal account.
Ethan J. Hong, 24, of the 500 block of Washington Street in Waukegan, was charged Nov. 1 with pocketing more than $42,000 in credit card payments during a 10-month period, according to authorities.
Hong was listed as an instructor on the studio’s website, and police said he was a manager/accountant for the business. Between January and October, he made more than 30 thefts by swiping customers’ credit cards on a device attached to his iPhone, which sent the money to a personal account, rather than to the business account, police say.
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The money was used to pay gambling losses and personal bills, according to a police report.
Hong could not be reached for comment.
Hong was released after posting 10 percent of a $20,000 bond.