LAWRENCE COUNTY, Pa. — The fired treasurer of a western Pennsylvania township has been charged with stealing nearly $800,000 from taxpayers during his 14 years in office.
Brian Tanner, of New Castle, surrendered Wednesday as Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa announced more than 500 counts of forgery and theft-related crimes against him.
Lamancusa's office had previously obtained search warrants for Shenango Township records that suggest that there was $1.2 million in questionable expenditures. So far, Lamancusa said, nearly $800,000 worth has been determined to be illegal.
According to Lamancusa, Tanner used the money to take his family on trips to Myrtle Beach, purchase a swimming pool and other personal expenditures.
“This was an intense investigation. We followed the money and it all led back to Mr. Tanner. He was the only one in charge of the money,” said Lamancusa.
Tanner, 49, was fired as secretary/treasurer in July after auditors determined that he wrote more than 200 checks worth more than $453,000 to himself and a township auditor -- who has also been fired -- from 2011 to 2013.
Investigators said he took the money over the course of his 14-year employment with the township, making $57,000 a year. An audit last February sparked the investigation.
Tanner was silent as Channel 11's Amy Marcinkiewicz asked if he had anything to say to the taxpayers.
Out of the 56-page criminal complaint one sentence stood out in which Tanner acknowledged during his interview with police that in certain circumstances what he did constituted the crime of theft.
“He's a respected member of this community. He's trying to do the best that he can regarding these charges,” said Tanner’s attorney, David Acker.
WPXI
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