Deal offered in Rostraver cheer theft
MONESSEN – Accused of stealing more than $18,000 from the Rostraver Township Cheer Association, its former treasurer waived her right to a preliminary hearing Friday after receiving a plea offer.
Lesley Manown, 43, of 212 Pleasant Valley Blvd. faces seven felony counts of access device fraud and forgery; two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, 33 misdemeanor counts of access device fraud, and two counts of theft by deception.
Rostraver police allege Manown made fraudulent charges totaling $18,686.82 to the association's bank account during a three-month period this summer. The money allegedly was spent in a number of ways, including a trip to Walt Disney World.
Under the tentative plea agreement, Manown must repay the organization, return any organization property she has, have no contact with the group, and serve a year on probation, Rostraver Lt. John Christner said.
Manown made restitution Friday.
“We got the money back; that's all I was worried about,” association President Heather Russell said.
The exchange of property, including pompoms, a table, and some clothing – also took place Friday in the parking lot of Magisterial District Judge Joseph Dalfonso's office.
“I owe a lot to Mrs. Russell and the board of the organization,” Christner said. “I know she withheld a lot of confidential and critical information in order for us to be able to conduct our investigation. She was taking a lot of heat from a lot of people, but what she did was necessary in us being able to conduct the investigation in a quick manner.”
Russell reported the theft to police on Aug. 23. According to a criminal complaint, Manown was present for the opening of an account at a local credit union June 4 and was given a debit card by another association member to use to purchase a television for a raffle. Fraudulent charges apparently started later in the month after Manown failed to return the card, police said.
Charges made to the card included $984 and $1,339 to Southwest Airlines; $3,000 in hotel charges in Florida; payments to Verizon and Comcast as well as bank loans and utility bills; $360 at a Hempfield Township Walmart; $64.17 at Fox's Pizza in North Belle Vernon and $24 to iTunes.
“The fact of the matter is that without Mrs. Russell and the board, we wouldn't have been able to have a successful case,” Christner said.
“I'm very appreciative for their efforts. The best part of this is that the group got the money back, and that's what's important. The money is there for the kids.”
The group comprises 81 cheerleaders in kindergarten through grade eight.
Jeremy Sellew is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-684-2667 or jsellew@tribweb.com.
