Upper Mt Bethel Supervisors To Discipline Embezzler

Although my telephone call to the Township Manager was never returned, Supervisors are finally taking action against an employee who embezzled nearly $1,000 from the Township's recreation fund. I first told you about this last week.

After the theft was discovered, employee Amy Fields, who has been with the Township for about ten years, was placed on administrative leave with pay. Last week, she made full restitution, with money borrowed from one of the Supervisors. Because Judy Henckel is facing a re-election contest, the hope was that this would quietly go away.

That dd not happen. Residents began calling Supervisors to complain, and at Monday night's meeting, I'm told that Supervisors have now decided to place Fields on administrative leave without pay. They've scheduled a disciplinary hearing this week, and will also turn the matter over to the state police for criminal investigation. That's something that should have been done right away.

I know one county employee who got caught stealing and was given a second chance. She then stole $80,000.

I was not at the meeting, and am relying on information supplied by my unreliable intern, Ron Angle. An Express Times reporter was also there, so I would expect to see a story there soon.