NORTH WILDWOOD — A former condo association president faces charges that she embezzled thousands from the association.
On Sept. 22, Anne Marie Kelly, 52, of Gilbertsville, Pa. and formerly of Anglesea’s Lodge Condominiums, was arrested and charged with theft by deception for allegedly writing herself checks on the association’s accounts, cashing the checks and keeping the funds for her own use without the knowledge of the other condo trustees.
County Prosecutor Robert Taylor told the Herald that Kelly was arrested and processed in his offices. He said she was accused of a theft in the amount of $56,000.
The thefts allegedly took place between Jan. 14, 2006 and June 26, 2007 while Kelly served as president of the association. The amount of the alleged theft (between $500 and $75,000) makes it a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in state prison.
According to current Lodge trustee Brooks Robinson, a criminal investigation was initiated by the Prosecutor’s office following discovery of financial irregularities when Kelly resigned her presidency in 2007. The association filed an insurance claim for over $72,000 and a subsequent investigation of those irregularities resulted in an insurance policy settlement to the association in excess of $44,000 in 2008.
A report of the investigation stated that Kelly denied any wrongdoing and instead blamed the discrepancies on “poor bookkeeping on her part and not any theft.”
Investigators reviewed Kelly’s cancelled checks, emails and association meeting minutes and determined that Kelly was unable to provide any supporting documents for the payments leaving them to “question whether these payments represent any reimbursement for Lodge Condominium expenses.”
According to the complaint summons, Kelly is scheduled to appear in North Wildwood Municipal Court on Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. for an initial hearing before the matter advances to Superior Court.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com
Follow Hart at www.Twitter.com/HeraldJoe
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