Hellertown Police Wednesday announced charges against Dewey Fire Company No. 1 treasurer Agnes H. Patterson, following the conclusion of what they said was a Northampton County grand jury investigation.
Dewey Fire Company treasurer Agnes Patterson (Facebook profile photo)
According to a police news release, Patterson, 52, of the 500 block of Henry Street, Hellertown, has been charged with theft by unlawful taking (a second degree felony), theft by deception (a second degree felony), access device fraud (a third degree felony) and misapplication of entrusted property (a second degree misdemeanor).
Both the Morning Call and Lehigh Valley Live reported that Patterson allegedly stole close to $400,000.
The newspaper said records indicate that Patterson used money from cash advances to gamble at various casinos including Sands in Bethlehem, Foxwoods in Connecticut and Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre.
Police said Patterson was released on $10,000 unsecured bail after she surrendered on the charges at the district court in Lower Saucon Township Wednesday afternoon.
According to court documents a preliminary hearing for Patterson is scheduled for Nov. 30.
In a prepared statement, Dewey Fire Co. President Rick Delmore said the investigation into Patterson’s alleged theft began “in early July 2016, (when) Dewey Fire Company was notified by the firm contracted to prepare its annual tax statements of several apparently fraudulent transactions.”
“The Fire Company performed an internal investigation and did confirm that multiple transactions made by longtime Treasurer Agnes Patterson appeared to be unrelated to Fire Department expenses,” he said.
He estimated that Patterson had been the Dewey treasurer for about 25 years and said she was highly-trusted.
Following its internal investigation, “the Executive Board of the Fire Company immediately sought legal counsel and subsequently suspended Patterson pending the outcome of the police investigation, which was conducted jointly with the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office, the statement said.
Delmore said the investigation revealed that “over a 10-year period, Ms. Patterson allegedly misappropriated funds from Dewey Fire Company.”
“From the onset of the investigation, the Executive Board of the Dewey Fire Company has completely and willingly worked with both the Hellertown Police Department and the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office to provide information and assist in the investigation,” he said. “The Fire Company has also been working with its insurance company to recover funds.”
Delmore said local residents who rely on Dewey for emergency services should be assured that the public was never in danger because of a lack of funds.
“The Executive Board of the Fire Company wants to assure all residents of Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township (which is covered by our Ambulance service) that there was never a lapse in coverage nor was the public ever in danger due to a lack of funds,” he wrote. “The Fire Company is actively working with its insurance company and an accredited Accounting firm to strengthen policies and controls preventing future incidents.”
As more information about the case becomes available, Dewey Fire Co. said it will release it.
Delmore said Patterson will be removed and permanently barred from the fire company once it is able to do so.
He said there was some oversight of her accounting of fire company funds–such as requiring two signatures on checks–but apparently not enough.
The exact amount of money Patterson allegedly stole is still being calculated, he added.
