Pocono News Section

Bookkeeper Apologizes After Theft

Bookkeeper Apologizes After Theft - Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 5:50PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009 @ 05:50pm EDT
A woman accused of stealing from an organization helping the mentally challenged apologizes. Police say Anne Hudanick of Wilkes-Barre stole up to $120,000 from Creating Unlimited Possibilities.

Hudanick didn't talk to us when as she was arrested last week. That changed Wednesday as we caught up with her after she waived her preliminary hearing in Luzerne County Central Court.

We asked Hudanick, ÒAny kind of apology whatsoever to Creating Unlimited Possibilities?Ó Hudanick said, ÒYes, there has been and they know that. Mike asks, "What do they know? Hudanick said, ÒThey know that I was very sorry for having done that."

That's all Hudanick said. Creating Unlimitied Possibilities helps the mentally challenged and people diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Police say Hudanick helped herself to organization funds to fuel a bingo addiction. We asked her, ÒIt says in court papers a bingo addiction have you sought help for that bingo addiction?"

But Hudanick stayed silent. Hudanick apparently stole the money when she was the group's bookkeeper.

Hudanick was the book keeper for 10 years and police say she started stealing money when the organization was called the Cerebral Palsy Organization of Luzerne County.

An audit in late 2008 revealed the companies missing funds. Police say Hudanick admitted to stealing the money and was fired. We asked, "Is there anything you want to specifically say to those kids that benefited from this money?"

Hudanick didnÕt reply. Creating Unlimited Possibilities executive director couldn't talk about the case on camera. Police say the company is still searching through years of receipts to see if more money is missing.

Creating Unlimited Possibilities lawyer says the company has taken the proper steps to make sure a theft like this doesn't happen again.