CLEARFIELD – A former municipal employee accused of stealing thousands of dollars from her employer waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Lisa E. Baumgartner of Shawville faces four counts of forgery, 101 counts of theft by deception, 102 counts of receiving stolen property, and 90 counts of access device fraud.
According to court records, on March 16, 2011, Township Supervisor David Amon went to the barracks and spoke with police about a phone call he received from Clearfield Bank & Trust. He said the caller related to him that the township had overdrawn on one of its checking accounts. Amon told police he went to the bank to inquire about the account and discovered he had no knowledge of this particular account.
Amon obtained the bank records and reportedly discovered that Baumgartner created the account without the permission of the supervisors and that she also used to township funds into that account. He and Supervisors William Kunkle and Franklin Sankey reviewed the townships records and discovered that Baumgartner reportedly forged documents, made purchases with township funds for personal items and issued checks to herself from township funds withouth their knowledge. According to the affidavit, these incidents began after Baumgartner was hired as the township’s secretary at the end of October 2009.
On March 16, 2011, Baumgartner was interviewed by police. She was advised of her Miranda rights and she signed a waiver form. Police recorded the interview, during which she admitted to opening the account and transferring township funds into said account, then using those funds for her own use.
Among other things, it is alleged she paid herself through payroll for six unapproved paid holidays at a rate of $9.50 an hour.
According to the affidavit, Baumgartner embezzled a total of $7,075.78 from the township. It was reported she paid back $5,035.65 and still owes, according to the affidavit, $2,040.13.
Baumgartner’s employment with the township was terminated in March of 2011.