Hearing waived on theft charges
A former Connellsville Township supervisor who also served as township secretary waived theft charges to Fayette County Court on Wednesday, and will receive a term of probation if she makes full restitution on the nearly $63,000 she is accused of stealing. If Tammy M. Mader, 43, of 1407 Buttermore Blvd., does not make restitution for the alleged stolen funds before she is sentenced, District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon said she could be imprisoned for six to 24 months. Mader waived charges of theft by deception and receiving stolen property to court before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Sr.
State police trooper Thomas Broadwater alleged that over the course of two years, Mader misappropriated $62,933.10 through checks she made payable to herself, her husband and creditors.
Township auditor Marlene Grenell discovered the alleged theft in 2003 after Mader reportedly attempted to cash a check for the township without getting the signature of a second supervisor. Policy requires the signature of another supervisor.
Police said an audit of township books found “numerous inconsistencies.”
Certified public accountant Charles Katorik examined financial records for the township in 2002, and found 34 township checks payable to and endorsed by Mader for her salary. Police said she was only entitled to 24 paychecks per year.
Other checks in the township ledger were made payable to Mader’s husband or to fictitious payees, police alleged. Mader ultimately benefited from those checks, police allege.
After Mader waived the charges, Vernon said she believed that restitution for the township was a priority.
“The important thing is to balance the needs of the community versus the need for incarceration,” Vernon said.
In a township that is operating on a $300,000 annual budget, Vernon said the nearly $63,000 reimbursement is sorely needed.
The chief prosecutor estimated Mader, represented by attorney James T. Davis, would have “a couple months” to make the restitution.