CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr., announced that a former Wallaceton-Boggs Municipal Authority employee began serving a jail sentence Tuesday.
Shaw identified the defendant as Cynthia Carlson, age 43, of Bigler Road, Bigler.
On May 29, 2009, Trooper Terry Jordan of the Pennsylvania State Police, Woodland Barracks, filed a criminal complaint charging Carlson with: 1) forgery, F3, 20 counts; 2) access device fraud, F3, 28 counts; 3) theft by unlawful taking, F3, 62 counts; and 4) receiving stolen property, F3, 62 counts.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by Jordan states that between April 17, 2008, through March 19, 2009, Carlson was employed as a part-time secretary for the Wallaceton-Boggs Municipal Authority. During this period of time, Carlson forged Authority checks for various amounts. Carlson used Authority funds for personal gain including the purchase of home heating fuel, personal vehicle repairs, the purchase of gasoline, and the payment of electric bills.
The affidavit further provides that Authority members discovered financial discrepancies and confronted Carlson with their concerns. When questioned, Carlson admitted to forging a single check and claimed it was only a one time occurrence. Upon further investigation, the Authority discovered multiple forged checks. The Authority determined that Carlson unlawfully took nearly $12,000.00 in Authority funds.
On April 13, 2010, Carlson appeared for sentencing after tendering an open plea of guilt to the charges. President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman, sentenced Carlson to a minimum period of one year and a maximum period of three years incarceration in the Clearfield County Jail.
Ammerman further sentenced Carlson to serve a consecutive period of five years probation. Carlson was ordered to appear at the Clearfield County Jail by noon time on April 20, 2010, to commence her sentence. During the sentencing proceedings, Carlson payed restitution to the Authority.
Shaw stated that he was pleased with the hard work of the Authority to identify and pursue thefts of tax dollars. These types of crimes are extremely difficult to detect and Shaw noted the board members of the Authority should be commended for their diligent efforts to protect those who are serviced by the Authority.
Anyone with knowledge or information about a crime is asked to call Clearfield County Crimestoppers at (800)-376-4700. All calls to Crimestoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site at www.ClearfieldDA.org and selecting “Report A Crime”.
To read a prior story on this case, click here.