Jan 14, 2015 By Erin Hayes for The 3 min read

MASONTOWN — A councilwoman charged with stealing $1,610 from a non-profit organization in the borough has resigned from public service.

Kim Essig, accused of failing to make deposits and altering bank statements while serving as treasurer of Masontown Matters last year, announced her resignation, effective immediately, in writing at a council meeting Tuesday.

Essig has not attended a council meeting since Nov. 25.

Councilman Harry Lee submitted the letter of resignation on her behalf.

Council President Frank McLaughlin read the letter to those in attendance.

“I want to be perfectly clear that this resignation is not due to the responsibilities I’ve been elected to perform,” Essig stated. “I greatly appreciate the opportunities the residents of this borough have afforded me throughout my tenure. I have enjoyed working to the best of my abilities for the people of this town.”

Councilwoman Kay Rendina noted that Essig also is moving from the borough, making her ineligible to serve.

Tom Loukota, a former mayor and councilman in the borough, was at the meeting and announced his interest in taking over Essig’s seat.

Lee made a motion to appoint Loukota to fill the remainder of Essig’s term, which expires at the end of this year, but that motion failed when only Councilman Mike Washko supported it. McLaughlin, Rendina and Councilman Edward Gulino voted against the motion after Rendina raised concerns that other residents also should be afforded an opportunity to submit a letter of interest before an appointment is made.

Loukota, who was last in office in 2010, said he had been encouraged by others to once again seek public office. He said he plans to attend upcoming meetings to familiarize himself with current issues affecting the borough prior to the primary election in the spring.

After Rendina raised her concerns, Loukota agreed that all residents interested in filling Essig’s seat should be afforded equal consideration.

Letters of interest may be mailed or dropped off at the borough building, located at 1 East Church Ave., Masontown, Pa. 15461, or faxed to 724-583-2208.

Essig allegedly altered bank statements and balances to try and hide thefts from Masontown Matters, according to a criminal complaint.

She was charged with three counts each of tampering with records and tampering with public records, and two counts of theft.

Police alleged that bank statements from November 2013 through January 2014 did not match statements that Essig provided to the organization.

When authorities questioned Essig, she reportedly told them that she sent the statements to a friend in New York City who altered the statements. She reportedly told police she did that because she did not want the president of Masontown Matters to know there was money missing.

Essig is scheduled for formal arraignment in Fayette County Court today.