THE FORMER TREASURER OF THE BRIARCLIFFE FIRE COMPANY in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, appeared in court Monday to answer charges that she embezzled more than $103,000 from the department.
Lisa Butler enters the courthouse Monday (WPVI-TV)
Lisa Marie Butler, 37, entered guilty pleas to charges of theft by deception and misapplication of entrusted funds. Her attorney convinced the judge that her husband had no knowledge of the thefts and that the money was only used for normal household expenses. The Delaware County Daily Times reports:
The theft became evident when in December 2008, Butler was suspended from the fire company over a fight she had with another member, according to officials.
Because of that dispute, Butler was required to turn over all of the fire company’s records including the company checkbook and it quickly became clear that something was amiss.
Butler told investigators she would “make up some non-existent fire company expense to write in the memo sections of the checks,” and that she then made the majority of the checks payable to herself.
Officials said there was a policy in place by the fire company that the checks required two authorized signatures, including Butler’s. She told investigators that she would have one of the officials — whose signature was required — to sign blank checks for “convenience purposes.”
According to the prosecutor’s affidavit of probable cause, Butler converted 35 checks to her personal use totaling $95,425 and additionally she made two withdrawals of another $8,000.
She remains free on $250,000 bond until her sentencing on March 8.
Read the entire article HERE.
Also on FireGeezer…
- Thieving Treasurer Sentenced – February 1, 2011
- Fire College Director Nabbed for Embezzling – January 14, 2011
- More Missing Ambulance Funds – January 10, 2011
- More Fiddling Treasurers – February 19, 2012
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