By Julie Rae Rickard
Amy Dawn Pase, 36, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of theft by unlawful taking. She was sentenced to six months on house arrest and five years probation. She was fined $975 plus costs and must pay restitution of over $10,550. She was also ordered to complete 500 hours of community service.
The charges stem from incidents that occurred between Feb. 4, 2010 and April 12, 2011, while she was employed by a Kylertown business.
Prior to sentencing her attorney, Ronald Collins noted that this was not a “typical employee theft.” She expressed remorse and accepted responsibility for her actions. She is the caregiver for her children and her grandmother.
Two family members also spoke on Pase’s behalf asking for a second chance and stating she is a “great person.” Pase apologized and admitted she “made poor decisions.”
Clearfield County Judge Paul E. Cherry commented that she violated the trust placed in her by her employer and when people make bad decisions they have to live with them. He said he did not give her a jail sentence because of her children. However, he warned her that if she violated her probation, she would go to jail.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, in April police were contacted regarding an employee making company checks out to cash and then depositing them into her checking account. At that time, the company was only looking at two checks, which Pase admitted to taking. Further investigation revealed nine more checks were also used by Pase.
In May, it was discovered that a gas card was unaccounted for, and they thought Pase had it. After reviewing a surveillance video, they found that Pase’s son had used the card. The unaccounted fuel bills totaled $4,622.27. Pase admitted she had used the card on numerous occasions.