Uniontown Treasurer Antoinette Hodge facing new charges for allegedly stealing over $112K
UNIONTOWN, Pa. (KDKA) -- New charges have been filed against Uniontown Treasurer Antoinette Hodge for allegedly stealing more than $112,000 from a religious association.
Hodge was first accused of stealing over $100,000 from taxpayers. Now she's accused of stealing from churches.
The new charges stem from when she was a chairperson for the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association, which is affiliated with 27 Baptist churches throughout Fayette, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.
Members became suspicious when they discovered invoices and bills were not being paid. They discovered the organization was significantly in debt with creditors and several services were in danger of being cut off.
Police say the general checking account and money market account were secretly depleted.
"She had used her position to gain complete control of the organization's finances and operations including that she would tell others the bills were being paid and make excuses when she was challenged about past due notices and services being shut off," said Fayette County District Attorney Richard Bower.
Police say Hodge made dozens of checks payable to cash or would also forge the signatures of other members of the organization.
Officials say she stole more than $112,000 and the organization is now on a payment plan to pay what it owes to utilities and property taxes.
Last year, the state attorney general charged her with stealing $106,000 in taxpayer funds during her time as the treasurer of Uniontown -- a position she still has.
Officials say she stole the money and used it at various casinos. They say she also bought scores of lottery tickets, often spending more than $1,000 a day.
Hodge turned herself in Thursday morning. A preliminary hearing is set for May 24.
The city's solicitor released a statement, saying:
"We can confirm that the City was notified earlier today of the additional charges filed against City Treasurer Antoinette Hodge. We understand that these charges, although similar, are for her actions as a member of a private organization and are unrelated to the prior charges filed against her for her conduct as City Treasurer. Given her status as an elected official, Ms. Hodge remains in her position as City Treasurer. However, following the prior criminal investigation and charges against her, the City implemented robust and extensive safeguards to ensure the protection of City and taxpayer funds in the Treasurer's Office. Despite a formal request from City Council, Ms. Hodge has refused to resign from that position. Under Pennsylvania law, an elected City Treasurer may be removed only by action at the state level or upon conviction for a felony or similar crime. Consequently, the City has formally requested that state officials take all actions necessary to remove Ms. Hodge from office and, therefore, the public's trust. The City will continue to closely monitor her Office and this situation for the protection and interests of its residents."