A Linwood woman accused of stealing more than $150,000 from the two organizations where she served as treasurer was taking money for years, according to the investigation.
Laurie McCarthy Montgomery, 53, was charged July 6, with stealing from the Linwood Parent Teacher Organization and Linwood Street Hockey Association.
But an investigation found the alleged thefts went back much further.
Montgomery was lauded by residents in 2018, when she was named Citizen of the Year, with many calling her deserving of the honor and some saying it was long overdue.
"Thank you everyone for your kind words!" she wrote in response on a Facebook post. "It is very humbling, and I am honored to be chosen to represent Linwood this year!"
At that same time, however, Montgomery was already stealing from the two organizations, according to an investigation sparked by PTO suspicions in August 2021.
Those thefts dated to 2017, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
A look at those finances also led to a check written to Linwood Street Hockey from the PTO account, signed and endorsed by Montgomery, the affidavit states.
Investigators then opened up the street hockey books and found more theft, dating to 2016, according to the claims.
Checks were made payable to the PTO from the street hockey account, in addition to family members, it says. The debit card allegedly was used to withdraw cash and make personal purchases in and out of state that were unrelated to street hockey.
Montgomery was charged earlier this month. She was released on a summons.
