WILLIAMSPORT — The former treasurer of the Muncy Hook & Ladder Company has admitted she stole more than $170,000 from the volunteer unit over a four year period.
Nichole L. Rupert, 37, of Muncy, pleaded guilty in Wednesday in Lycoming County court to a total of 1,114 counts that charged her with theft, receiving stolen property, forgery and computer trespass.
A plea agreement calls for a county prison sentence followed by what is expected to be a lengthy period of probation. She could be ordered to pay the $171,027 she took from the volunteer fire company.
She also will be required to cooperate with Muncy police in an ongoing investigation to determine if anyone else was involved the scheme that ran from Jan. 1, 2004, until this past Feb. 9.
Suspicions by Muncy Bank and Trust that something was wrong with the fire company books led to the investigation, Police Chief Richard J. Sutton told Judge Kenneth D. Brown.
Besides manipulating financial records and diverting money for personal use, Rupert admitted she forged the names of fire company officers on checks.
She remains free on bail pending sentencing scheduled for March 23.
