Ex-Fire Company Treasurer in Pennsylvania Charged with Stealing Nearly $400K

A former Pennsylvania volunteer fire company treasurer who received a $400 annual stipend has been accused of stealing nearly 1,000 times that much from the organization.

Fifty-one-year-old Agnes Patterson, of Hellertown, surrendered Wednesday on charges she stole more than $395,000 from the Dewey Fire Company since 2009.

Patterson had been the group’s treasurer since 2002.

Patterson was removed as treasurer in July after an audit turned up the missing money. An audio recording of a fire company meeting in July that was played for a grand jury includes Patterson acknowledging she “betrayed the people and their trust.”

Authorities say Patterson spent most of the money on gambling and entertainment at casinos in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

Her attorney hasn’t commented.