|
Read News
|
Pocono News Section
Former KH&L Secretary to Face Theft Charges
Former KH&L Secretary to Face Theft Charges - Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 8:35PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Thursday, Jun 25, 2009 @ 08:35pm EST
Muncy, Lycoming County-
The former secretary of a fire department in Muncy will go to court on theft charges. Prosecutors say she stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the company.
Nichole Lee Rupert waived her preliminary hearing in Muncy Thursday afternoon. Police allege Rupert forged signatures and paid off personal debts with funds from the Keystone Hook and Ladder Company.
KH&L President Daniel Knapp said, “Her conduct is unbecoming any person that serves the community. It’s appalling and of course it’s shocking.”
Rupert worked as a paid secretary at KH&L in the years the thefts took place. She’s charged with taking a total of more than $170,000.
Knapp noted, “(We) can’t just have that trust like we used to. Now we have to check everything.”
Fire company members packed the courtroom for the hearing.
Rupert’s attorney says she is taking at least partial responsibility for her actions.
Defense Attorney George Lepley explained, “There’s a real question I think on what the amount of the actual restitution that’s due is, and on whether she was actually the person responsible for the whole loss.”
Rupert was released on bail about two weeks ago.
Firefighters here say they can’t believe someone from their own company could be caught up in these allegations. But they say they will find a way to move on.
Knapp added, “We are currently fiscally sound. We’ve turned things around. We’re actually paying off some debts and we’re doing pretty well.”
The theft charges first came to light thanks to the president of the Muncy Bank and Trust Company. He contacted police about a series of financial losses in the fire company’s bank funds. | | |
|
|
|