When a Fox River Grove woman's boyfriend dumped her for another woman, she was stuck with a gift that kept on giving. As in, it gave her a financial headache.
Kathleen Helman, 52, and her boyfriend purchased a 22-foot boat together, reports the Sun-Times.
But the relationship sank, and Helman was left making payments on the former love boat.
"She was making the payments on the boat and paying the insurance," said defense attorney Rick Behof.
In 2006, Helman just couldn't afford the loan payments anymore, she claimed.
"She had to sell it," Behof said, according to the Daily Herald. "She was trying not to let her credit go in the toilet."
So Helman forged her ex-boyfriend's signature on the boat's title document, falsely authorizing the boat's sale. A buyer in Minnesota purchased the 1998 Wellcraft Scarab online for $21,000.
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Helman was initially charged with theft, but Behof argued that the sale wasn't "vindictive at all." In a plea deal, Helman pleaded guilty to attempted forgery and was sentenced to a year of probation, 30 hours of community service, and a $500 fine.
The Minnesota resident was allowed to keep the boat, say police.
A judge will decide in May if the ex-boyfriend—in Arizona with the other woman—is due any restitution.
Matt Bartosik is a Chicago native and a social media sovereign.
