Published: November 11, 2024, 07:44h.
Last updated on: November 11, 2024, 07:44h.
A former treasurer in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, has been found guilty of embezzling $106,000 in public funds to support her $1,500-per-day lottery habit.
Antoinette Hodge, aged 54, is also facing charges for stealing an additional $112,484 from the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association (YWBA) and is set to stand trial for forgery next month in that case.
On November 7, a jury in Fayette County convicted Hodge on charges of unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and obstructing administration of law or other governmental function.
‘Trust Abused’
Evidence presented in court showed that Hodge began misusing her position shortly after becoming Uniontown City Treasurer in 2019.
Her primary role was to collect and deposit cash and checks received by the tax office. However, from 2020 to 2021, she failed to deposit over $106,000 in cash, using the money for personal expenses like vacations, casino gambling, and lottery tickets.
The defendant held a position of trust in her community but betrayed that trust by defrauding taxpayers for personal gain,” stated Attorney General Henry. “It is crucial to prosecute these crimes to uphold the integrity of local government. My office is committed to protecting taxpayers and ensuring that individuals who abuse their positions face the consequences of their actions.
After an investigation, Hodge was indicted by a statewide grand jury in December 2022. Despite this, she ran for reelection in the Democratic primary in May 2023 but failed to secure the nomination. She left office at the end of the year when her term expired.
Uniontown Mayor Bill Gerke mentioned to The Herald-Standard that the incident led to reforms in the tax office’s operations.
“We no longer accept cash payments at city hall, only checks or money orders,” Gerke explained. “This is one of several changes we made to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
Financial Distress
Hodge is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21 and will appear in court next month to face 33 counts of forgery and three counts of theft related to the YWBA case.
Prosecutors allege that Hodge, as the YWBA chairperson, mismanaged the association’s bank accounts, failed to pay bills or real estate taxes, and forged signatures on checks made out to “cash,” depleting the organization’s funds and causing financial distress.
Fayette County District Attorney Richard Bower stated that Hodge significantly drained the organization’s finances, leaving it in dire financial straits.