Pocono News Section

Second Northumberland Council Member Arrested

Second Northumberland Council Member Arrested - Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 04:06AM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday June 15 2010

NORTHUMBERLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY -- Another Northumberland Borough Council member is under arrest after an investigation into missing money. It's a story the I-Team first uncovered in March.

Bryan Wolfe is the second member of Northumberland Council to be arrested on theft charges. He has also spent time as the council president. Wolfe is in the Northumberland County Jail, accused of stealing taxpayers' money to fund computer software purchases.

In April the I-Team first reported the contents of a search warrant served at Wolfe's home. Those documents indicated police were tracing software purchases made by Wolfe.

Wolfe, a Northumberland two-term councilman, began helping himself to borough funds in April, 2007, according to arrest papers released today. Arrest papers show Wolfe directed payments to two companies, Nittany Geeks and PSU Football. The cash exceeded $10,000.

The theft by deception continued for three years according to police, ending coincidentally when another council member was dragged down by theft charges. Cynthia Lark was arrested and charged in March with bilking in excess of $300,000 from the sewer authority.

Wolfe is also accused of using Northumberland's debit card for his own use. Wolfe in arrest papers defended his practices, saying that he had been putting a lot of work in on Northumberland's website and that he should be compensated. But council never approved payment.

Calls to several council members, Northumberland solicitor and the mayor were not returned.