By Mollee Francisco, Correspondent 

CHASKA -- A former Jonathan Association employee has been charged with felony theft.

According to a press release from the Carver County Attorney's Office, Kimberly Sue Ferrari, 37, was previously employed as the association's bookkeeper.

"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," the release 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 alleged theft reportedly occurred for almost two years, from November 2005 to July 2007. 

The association began its own inquiry when it discovered overdrafts in its accounts. The board initially considered civil action, Jonathan Association Attorney David Hellmuth said earlier this year, but decided to turn the case over to the Chaska Police Department for investigation.

The employee, who apparently worked for the association since late 2005, left last year.

The case was investigated by the Chaska Police Department and forwarded to the Carver County Attorney's office, said Police Chief Scott Knight.

Since the employee left, the association has changed its bookkeeping processes, said Mike Liebe, Jonathan Association board member.

"First of all, we did away with the credit card altogether," he said earlier this year. "There are no longer electronic fund transfers to pay. Everything is done by invoice, coded and approved at a higher level, and then goes to the CPA. It's a good three-step process."