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First Posted: 5/13/2013
SCRANTON – Former Ransom Township Secretary-Treasurer Kathleen Zielinski, 61, of South Abignton Township, was sentenced to 9 to 23 months in prison, with three-years of probation to follow, at a hearing May 13 at the Lackawanna County Courthouse in Scranton.
Zielinski pleaded guilty Dec. 3 to a second-degree felony count of theft by unlawful taking of township funds.
The crime was uncovered during a yearly audit, which revealed 46 of Zielinski’s residential electric bills, in the amount of $8,909.58, had been paid with township funds. An investigative audit, conducted by Marx Accounting and Forensic Services for the period Jan. 1, 2007 through March 17, 2012, then discovered Zielinski spent $99,228.24 of Ransom Township funds for personal expenses.
In addition to the 9 to 23 month sentence, Judge Michael Barrasse ordered Zielinski to make full financial restitution to the township in the amount requested by the commonwealth, $106,739. This amount includes the funds stolen according to the investigative audit, in addition to the expenses incurred by the investigation.
Zielinski, however, is disputing the amount, claiming it should be $76,000. A restitution hearing will be scheduled for a later date.
Prior to the ruling, Ransom Township Supervisor David Bird addressed the judge in regard to the impact of the theft on the township. He said the ordeal set back the road repairs for the year, as the board is not sure where it stands financially. It also broke the trust between the township officials and residents, leaving them with a lot of questions to answer.
“It put a lot on us and on our residents,” Bird said.
Zielinski’s attorney Frank Bolock spoke on her behalf, pointing out that at 61 years of age this is her first offense. He said she has a great record of community service, has volunteered with the Chinchilla Fire Department and has friends of many years who wrote positive statements about her in letters.
He said these things “stand in contrast with the theft of the township money,” and Zielinski acknowledges and is “extremely remorseful, to say the least,” for her actions which broke the trust of the township.
“She feels that betrayal to her core,” Bolock said. “It’s contrary to her makeup.”
He added that she began working at the Gourmet Restaurant last August, earning money to repay the township and has so far paid back $2,800 of the amount stolen. He said she is undergoing counseling to try and “come to grips with how this happened, and the remorse.”
Barrasse addressed Zielinski saying arguments were made on her behalf, however, the problem he sees is that it is not a one-time offense. He clarified it is a first offense, but occurred multiple times and was pre-meditated. He also cited the breaking of public trust as an issue.
After a period of silence, Zielinski responded, saying she could not answer to those statements, but would like to say a few words.
“Since I started working for Ransom Township, I always prided myself in doing the best of my ability for the township,” she said, adding she is sorry for her wrongdoing and intends to make restitution.
“I sincerely regret the embarrassment, the shame, the humiliation I caused the supervisors and the residents of Ransom Township,” she concluded.
At the ruling was made, Zielisnki was handcuffed and led from the room.
Supervisors Bird and William “Bud” Brown expressed relief from the conclusion of the proceedings, yet disappointment in the sentencing ruling.
“I think she should have got more time,” Brown said, “But that’s not up to me. At least she’s making partial restitution.”
Bird agreed, adding, “We’re hoping to put this behind us now and continue doing our jobs as supervisors.”