CLEARFIELD – A former fire company treasurer accused of stealing more than $43,000 was sentenced Monday during colloquy court.
Brittany Nicole Bell, 31, 16 Moravian St., Grassflat pleaded guilty to three felony counts of theft and 60 misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking.
Judge Paul E. Cherry sentenced her to 90 days to one year in jail and two years consecutive probation, according to a court employee.
Prior to sentencing she paid $30,000 in restitution as part of her plea agreement. She still owes an additional $13,136.60.
The charges stem from her actions beginning in May of 2014.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Nov. 19 police were dispatched to the Winburne Volunteer Fire Company where they met with William Gaines, the fire company’s president.
Gaines told investigators that a large sum of money was missing from the general fund account. He and other fire company officials went to CNB Bank earlier in the day and learned that the bank debit/VISA card used in transactions was assigned to Bell, the treasurer.
The bank supplied them with information on the purchases and withdrawals from their accounts starting in February of 2015 and ending Nov. 19, 2015. The officer advised them they needed to locate all the records, receipts, account information and equipment from Bell for the investigation.
Gaines requested that the officer be present. The officer called Bell and advised her of the missing money. She claimed there was no problem with the money. The officer explained fire company officials needed to pick up all accounts that night and asked Bell when she would be home.
Bell told the officer she was on her way home from work, and it would be a little while. He asked Bell to call when she got home. Instead Bell arrived about 20 minutes later at the fire company, and the officer went outside to meet with her.
She started crying as she stated, “I did it. I am not going to lie to you.” She wanted to speak with fire company members, and they met with her in the parking lot.
Bell told them she was sorry and she needed help when she lost her job last year. Bell was so upset that the officer felt she may not be safe to drive. The fire chief drove Bell home, where he and an officer collected bank accounts information, records, receipts and all equipment belonging to the fire company.
Once these items were returned to the fire company, the officer and officials began reviewing it. The investigation involved contacting local businesses for receipts to determine what Bell had actually purchased for the fire company and what she bought for her own use. After the investigation and review of records was complete, they total amount missing was found to be $43,136.60.
