Gregg Township receives final reimbursement payment after ex-employee’s $533K theft
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- Gregg Township will receive an additional $80,000 reimbursement from Travelers.
- Payments now total nearly $609,500, covering 99.3% of the township’s $613,000 claim.
- Pamela Hackenburg pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay over $615,000 restitution.
A small township in Centre County is poised to receive an additional $80,000 reimbursement from its bonding company, a final payment that helps cover nearly the entire amount stolen by its former secretary and treasurer.
Gregg Township’s governing body approved the payment Monday at its public meeting. The rural township received nearly $529,000 from Travelers in October, pushing the full reimbursement to nearly $609,500.
The payments represent 99.3% of the roughly $613,000 claimed by the township, which said in a press release that the money covers legal and bank fees, accounting costs and other expenses.
“The Board of Supervisors is pleased with this outcome and is grateful for the diligent efforts of Township staff, professional advisors, and others who worked to protect the Township’s financial interests and ensure accountability,” the township’s supervisors said in the release. “With receipt of this final payment, the matter is now fully resolved from the Township’s perspective.”
Pamela D. Hackenburg, 56, of Union County, pleaded guilty in July to felony counts of theft, identity theft and access device fraud. Centre County prosecutors said she stole nearly $533,000 in public money across thousands of transactions to fund a gambling addiction and cover personal expenses.
She was sentenced in September to two to four years in state prison, followed by two years of probation. She was also ordered to pay more than $615,000 in restitution, which included the stolen money, payroll tax penalties and more.
Travelers would receive any restitution payments up to the amount it paid, township Solicitor David S. Gaines Jr. told the Centre Daily Times in October.
Hackenburg had exclusive access to the township’s bank accounts, was adept in accounting and operated with minimal oversight from township supervisors who were not familiar with financial matters.
A state police at Rockview investigation found she exploited her position of trust by isolating herself and obfuscating or fabricating financial information to ensure her crimes went unnoticed.
The fraud spanned nearly her entire tenure, from March 2019 until May 2024. She was formally fired in December 2024.
Supervisor Vicky Vanada said during Hackenburg’s sentencing that the township was still struggling to complete road repairs that had to be delayed because of the thefts. Other residents spoke of stress and distrust in the community of about 2,260.
After facing questions if the board was lax in its oversight, Chair Ben Haupt has expressed confidence he and his fellow supervisors took appropriate steps in response. Among other measures, supervisors now regularly review bank and credit card statements and are required to pass an annual background check.
Hackenburg is incarcerated at Cambridge Springs state prison in northwestern Pennsylvania
Less than a week after she was sentenced in Centre County, she was charged in neighboring Union County with felony counts of theft for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 from an American Legion in Mifflinburg where she volunteered as a treasurer and bookkeeper.
Her formal arraignment in that case is scheduled for Feb. 2. Gregg Township’s next board of supervisors meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10.
