Gambling Addiction

Police: Official stole $233,000 from township for gambling
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Associated Press
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Pa. -- State police say a former township secretary in Erie County charged with stealing nearly $389,000 from the town's coffers blew most of the money gambling.

Damon Hopkins, the defense attorney for 62-year-old Nancy J. Brown, of Springfield Township, says she has cooperated fully with investigators and is being treated for a gambling addiction.

The township's supervisors fired Ms. Brown in June after it was discovered that she allegedly stole the money by writing checks to herself from a township payroll account since January 2002. After police interviews with Mr. Brown, she was charged Tuesday with forgery, theft, and receiving stolen property.

Authorities tell the Erie Times-News that Ms. Brown spent about $233,000 at casinos, but also had bills from credit cards and family health problems.