By Mary Pickels

Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 1:30 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, January 9, 2013

West Brownsville tax collector Cindy L. Lacey was charged with theft on Wednesday, after allegedly admitting she stole more than $115,000 in borough funds.

Washington County District Attorney Eugene A. Vittone said Lacey, 58, of 619 River St., was charged following an investigation by county detectives.

Lacey was arraigned on a single felony count of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds before District Judge Joshua Kanalis of West Brownsville.

Her attorney, Herbert G. Mitchell Jr. of Hiller, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

County officials in September contacted a private accounting firm to audit the borough's tax collector account, Detective James A. McElhaney said in an affidavit.

The completed audit covered tax years 2005 through 2011, McElhaney said.

Results revealed a total of $115,940.36 was missing from those tax years, he said.

During the investigation, “it was determined that the only individual permitted to remove funds from the tax collector account was (Lacey),” McElhaney wrote.

Lacey served as the borough tax collector from 2002 through May 2012, he said.

While being questioned on Nov. 28, McElhaney said, Lacey provided a written statement admitting responsibility for the theft.

Lacey waived her charges to court following a preliminary hearing Wednesday, according to Kanalis' office.

She was placed in the Washington County prison in lieu of $115,000 cash bond.

Messages left with council members Wednesday were not immediately returned.

Mary Pickels is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com.

1. Steelers rookie safety Thomas learning from Polamalu, Clark
2. After all-conference year at St. Francis, Colligan gets to play St. Andrews
3. BVA will refinance bond issue
4. McGuire expected to sign with Pirates on Tuesday
5. Farmers and Merchants Bank moves into Freeport
6. Arrington thriving with post-NFL endeavors
7. Deer’s visit could force changes at Apollo-Ridge High School
8. Judge delays hearing in wild chase, theft case
9. Area music store earns top honors
10. Pirates notebook: Mercer now the top option at shortstop
11. Youth, civic groups clean up city

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.