A Washington Crossing woman has been arrested and charged with making over $100,000 in unauthorized transactions from a local organization.
Therese Foote, 58, was charged by Falls Township police on March 31 with four theft related felony charges including theft by deception, fraudulently accessing a device, receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking.
Advertisements
According to Bucks Gymnastics Center II Booster Club President John Mulholland, Foote served as treasurer of the Bucks Gym II Booster Club from 2002 through 2014, it was during that time that Mulholland said she was responsible for all funds and transactions in relation to it’s competition team.
When Foote’s daughter was injured, the decision was then made to replace Foote as treasurer since all elected officials of the organization are required to have a child actively participating. It was then through leadership transition, court documents show, that unauthorized transactions were shown on the account.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Foote arranged to meet with the new treasurer at PNC bank back in December 2014 to transfer all names on the account.
Advertisements
As stated by Mulholland, the club was not known to bank with PNC and they typically banked with First National Bank and Trust in Newtown. Court documents show that Foote opened one account on December 6 at PNC and an additional account (other than the original) at First National in May 2012.
According to police records, no system of check and balances were used with the Booster Club, and Foote was able to make all purchases and authorize transactions by herself. Although Foote was responsible for providing treasury reports to the booster club, the reports lacked details, were often completed with a spreadsheet and were never accompanied by official bank records, according to court records.
Advertisements
As identified by the Booster Club and Falls Twp. police, various transactions between November 2007 and December 2014 were related to Foote’s personal life and not associated with Bucks Gym II. The total amount of money associated with the transactions in both accounts was $161,319.47.
During the course of the nearly four month investigation, police noted Foote contacted Mulholland twice by text message. Once on January 19, stating, “John this is Tracy. I want to make amends. And I will do whatever it takes. Please stop this process. I need my job. I carry the insurance. My surgery is scheduled for the end of February.” Foote then contacted Mulholland again on January 25, “John I am sorry. Please give me a chance to make amends. Please withdrawal the complaining with Falls. I am not asking for me but for my family. Please.”
Foote was arraigned by District Judge Jan Vislosky and released on $100,000 unsecured bail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 5.
Advertisements
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
