The former secretary/treasurer of Gregg Township has been charged with theft after nearly $533,000 in municipal funds went missing.
Pamela D. Hackenburg, 55, of Union County, was arrested by state police Wednesday on felony charges of theft, identity theft, receiving stolen property and access device fraud.
A criminal complaint detailing the charges was not available on Friday because court offices were closed. The township, however, acknowledged on its website that Hackenburg had been arrested.
An attorney for the Penns Valley township said in August that the secretary, who had since been suspended without pay, appeared to have been involved in a series of transactions using a credit card to withdraw large amounts of money from township funds. Following Hackenburg’s suspension, a township supervisor has been serving as secretary/treasurer on an interim basis.
It’s not clear exactly when the missing funds were discovered, but an accountant hired by the township estimated a loss of $532,747.67. Court records indicate the alleged theft may have begun as early as 2019.
Supervisor Ben Haupt said in August that the board had not previously seen the township’s bank statements, but now is “seeing everything.” Supervisor Charles Stover also said at the time that the board would issue a full report on steps the township has taken.
Hackenburg was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon by District Judge Gregory Koehle and released on $500,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 11
