MCGILL CENTER Director is charged in funds theft

The center's director admitted forging checks and taking the money.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The director of the McGill Community Center is accused of taking more than $100,000 in center funds to pay her car insurance, children's college tuition and personal bills.
Bernadette Datillo Schaffner, 46, of Hillcrest Avenue was arraigned Monday on charges of forgery, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft to make required disposition of funds received, and receiving stolen property.
She was released after posting $1,000 bond. Schaffner also waived her right to a preliminary hearing at her arraignment, according to District Justice Melissa Amodie.
New Castle Police were called about the matter April 29 by a private investigator hired by the Arthur McGill Presbyterian Community Center concerning checks issued to Schaffner.
Allegations
Police contend that Schaffner used the money to pay personal bills to Wal-Mart, Sears and Ralph's Supermarket, as well as other bills. Police said Schaffner also paid back personal loans given to her by individuals with the center's money, and didn't make some deposits of money given to the center.
Police believe $101,083.61 was taken.
Authorities said they believe that Schaffner started taking the money in 1999, shortly after the center's bookkeeper left for another job.
Members of the organization's board of directors discovered problems with bookkeeping in February when a board member offered to help Schaffner with the books. Schaffner had complained about the bookkeeping involved with her job at a meeting in January, they said.
Police said the board member could not find books, but did find a large amount of paperwork and starting looking into the center's checking account.
Schaffner met with police June 10 and admitted taking the money, police said. Schaffner also told police she had forged names on checks, police said.
cioffi@vindy.com