Pennsylvania treasurer caught stealing funds to feed lottery habit

The former treasurer of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, has been found guilty of stealing over $100,000 in taxpayer money collected by her office between 2020 and 2021, authorities announced.

The initial investigation

In 2019, Antoinette Hodge was elected as the City of Uniontown treasurer. However, an investigation was launched in early 2021 by the Uniontown City Council after more than a dozen taxpayers received delinquency notices even though they had already paid their taxes.

An extensive audit of the 2020-2021 timeframe was conducted and investigators found there was a loss of $106,750 of taxpayer money during that time.

A grand jury then investigated, and they determined Hodge converted this money for her own personal gain. Members of Hodge's staff testified in front of the grand jury, saying that various changes were made under Hodge's leadership, including her taking over filling out deposit slips, taking over as the only person reviewing the tax account information, and eliminating other checks and balances within the Treasurer's Office.

The grand jury also determined Hodge took numerous costly vacations and spent tens of thousands of dollars each year on gambling during this time period.

Then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro said:

The defendant is a public official entrusted to oversee city funds with integrity and accountability. Instead, she is accused of stealing from taxpayers to enrich herself. My office will investigate and prosecute anyone who abuses their position of power for their own financial gain.

At that time, Hodge was charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, misapplication of entrusted property, obstructing administration of law or other governmental function, and perjury.

Jury finds Hodge guilty

The trial recently wrapped up, and a Fayette County jury returned guilty verdicts against Hodge, 54, on all of the charges.

During the trial, prosecutors stated Hodge was supposed to deposit over $106,000 in cash, but failed to do so. Instead, she spent that money on personal expenses, including spending more than $1,500 per day on lottery games.

Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement:

The defendant was elected to a position of trust in her community. She abused that trust and defrauded taxpayers for her own gain. Prosecuting these crimes is vital to maintaining the integrity of local government. My office will continue to protect taxpayers and ensure that any individual who tries to abuse their position will face the consequences of their actions.

Hodge lost re-election bid

Hodge committed these crimes while serving as Treasurer of Uniontown, but she is no longer serving in that role.

She ran for re-election in the May 2023 primary, but lost that bid. She ended up serving the rest of her term and left office at the end of 2023.

After the guilty verdict came through, Hodge now waits to be sentenced, which is scheduled to take place on November 21, 2024.

Enjoy playing the Pennsylvania Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.