KEY WEST, Fla. — A 60-year-old woman who was accused of stealing from a private school in Key West — as she allegedly abused her position as a business manager until 2014 — was behind bars on Monday in Monroe County, records show.
Monroe County Circuit Judge Mark Wilson recently ordered Lori A. Kerbel, who was accused of stealing from Montessori Children’s School, to pay more than $11,490 in restitution through monthly payments, according to prosecutors.
Wilson accepted Kerbel’s plea of no contest on July 28, and he sentenced her to 270 days in Monroe County Jail, a five-year probation, and 50 hours of community service, according to Monroe County prosecutors.
Kerbel, who was the business manager and bookkeeper of the Montessori Children’s School from October 2012 to August 2014, made unauthorized “personal purchases” with the school’s funds and credit cards, according to the Key West Police Department.
Aside from an upgrade to her health insurance coverage, Kerbel’s “personal purchases” also included home furnishings, electronics, jewelry, and clothing, according to police.
According to court records, prosecutors had filed the felony case against Kerbel for third-degree grand theft for more than $10,000 and less than $20,000 on Dec. 9, 2014, when a judge issued an arrest warrant.
Court records showed deputies served the arrest warrant on Aug. 17, 2018, and Kerbel pleaded not guilty on Sept. 6, 2018. Her bond was $15,000.
On Dec. 11, 2018, Kerbel notified the court that she had moved to Corinth, Texas, according to court records.
Kerbel was allowed to skip some court dates in 2019, 2020, and 2021, court records show.
The court’s public court docket shows inactivity from a return mail on Feb. 11, 2022, to a substitution of counsel on March 25, 2025. The next notices of appearance were on Jan. 26 and March 3.
Court records show a judge granted a motion to appear in court remotely on March 13.
Judge’s restitution order filed on Aug. 4
MCSO inmate record
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