Ex-treasurer of West Allegheny hockey boosters accused of stealing $40,000 from club

An Oakdale woman accused of writing herself more than $40,000 worth of checks from the hockey booster club of which she was treasurer has been trying to pay back the money to no avail, according to her defense attorney.

Jennifer Layden, 42, was charged in late June with one count of felony theft for allegedly cashing $40,656 worth of checks she had written to herself from the West Allegheny Hockey Booster Club.

She waived a preliminary hearing last week and will be arraigned next month, court records show.

According to the criminal complaint, North Fayette police became involved after the president of the booster club alerted them to the theft. Investigators said they found copies of checks worth $38,050 allegedly written by and made out to Layden.

Marc Daffner, Layden’s defense attorney, said Layden went to booster club leaders and said she had taken the money because of financial difficulties and that she was prepared to pay it back.

All told, police said they’ve discovered $40,656 so far alleged to have been taken by Layden.

Police said when they spoke to Layden about their investigation, she “became visibly upset and stated she was sorry and that she made a mistake and took the funds,” authorities wrote.

Layden has the money and has been trying to repay her theft, Daffner said, but the District Attorney’s Office wants to move forward with prosecuting the charges.

“She’s appeared in court already twice with a check made out to them for the full balance,” he said. “They’re making a huge mountain out of a molehill.”