A Pennsylvania woman who admitted to stealing about $533,000 from Gregg Township while serving as the local municipality's secretary and treasurer will serve at least the next two years in state prison.
Pamela Hackenburg, 56, of Union County, was given a maximum sentence of four years in jail and two years of probation by Centre County Judge Katie Oliver. After serving 24 months, she will be eligible for parole.
Hackenberg acknowledged embezzling at least $532,747.67 from the little township, which has a population of slightly over 2,300, using her position. She claimed to be a gambling addict who stole money from her job to support her addiction.
“She didn’t just steal from the employees of Gregg Township. She stole from each and every taxpayer of Gregg Township,” said Centre County Deputy District Attorney Crystal Hundt.
DraftKings Outlays
According to the prosecution, Hackenburg made $322,185 in transactions on her DraftKings account throughout law enforcement's investigation. In Pennsylvania, DraftKings provides casino games and online sports betting.
Evidence that Hackenburg utilized the pilfered funds for other personal purposes, such as purchases at wine and liquor shops, nail salons, and a trip to Florida, was also included in the money trail. Hackenburg entered a guilty plea to charges of identity theft, access device fraud, and theft.
The Gregg Township treasurer and secretary at the time had complete authority over the town's finances, according to the prosecution. The theft started barely two months after Hackenburg was employed in March 2019 and persisted until March 2024, when she was placed on unpaid leave while the inquiry was underway. In December, she was let go.
The town's supervisors overlooked the disappearance of funds because they had little control over the secretary-treasurer. When a bank statement that she typically opened was opened by another township employee, the theft was discovered.
What tax preparer Rhonda Sweely described as "looking like a tornado blew through" was revealed by a later audit.
Hackenburg used the township's credit cards more than 3,600 times for personal purchases, including her DraftKings account, according to the audit.
Restitution Is Not Likely
Oliver sentenced Hackenburg to serve a prison sentence and reimburse the township $615,580.78. Despite not having the funds, she claims to be "committed to making diligent efforts to repay the amounts taken."
Hackenburg stated in court that although she is a Christian, this "doesn't mean I don't make mistakes."
Hackenburg used the township's credit cards more than 3,600 times for personal purchases, including her DraftKings account, according to the audit.
Restitution Is Not Likely
Oliver sentenced Hackenburg to serve a prison sentence and reimburse the township $615,580.78. Despite not having the funds, she claims to be "committed to making diligent efforts to repay the amounts taken."
"Hackenburg stated in court that although she is a Christian, this "doesn't mean I don't make mistakes."
According to Gregg authorities, the township is now having trouble getting loans to finish important road repairs.
A casino will probably open in State College, which is close to Penn State University, after Hackenburg is freed from prison. The Happy Valley Casino will be located fewer than 50 miles east of her Union County residence.
Hackenburg is not listed on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's website as an Involuntary Excluded individual from the state's actual casinos. Although operators might decide not to take her business, she still has access to iGaming.
She claims that by going to Gamblers Anonymous meetings, she is attempting to kick her addiction.
