Pamela Hackenburg Arrested for Alleged Embezzlement in Gregg Township
SPRING MILLS – The former secretary and treasurer of Gregg Township, Pamela Hackenburg, 55, was arrested just before Thanksgiving for allegedly embezzling over $532,000 in public funds. Facing multiple serious charges, including theft and identity theft, Hackenburg is accused of misappropriating township money for personal expenses, including significant gambling losses.
Hired in January 2019, Hackenburg had exclusive access to 14 bank accounts and insisted on maintaining a locked office at the municipal building that no one else could enter. State Police allege that from March 2019 to May 2024, she made unauthorized charges on township credit cards, with around $20,000 per month spent on gambling-related expenses through DraftKings beginning in January 2023.
The discovery of these transactions stemmed from an unexpected credit card statement received by township emergency management coordinator Jim Smith, leading to concerns about potential fraud. Following Smith’s report to First National Bank and subsequent internal scrutiny, Hackenburg was suspended in May, prompting an audit that revealed significant disorganization in her office and questionable financial practices.
Accountants noted that township finances were well-managed prior to her tenure, raising questions about the integrity of the records Hackenburg maintained. Allegedly to conceal the theft, she fabricated data in budget reports and misused funds from a restricted road project loan.
Gregg Township officials have publicly acknowledged the situation and are expected to discuss Hackenburg’s termination in an upcoming meeting. With the severity of the charges, Hackenburg could face significant prison time if convicted. She has been released on unsecured bail and is set for a preliminary hearing on December 11.
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