A Tamaqua man was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Stephen Bayer, accused of misappropriating money from the Tamaqua Boys Basketball Boosters organization.

While the missing funds totaled $19,010.30 over a three-year period, there was a surprising twist to the case before it reached the judge's desk.Ralph Scott Winterburn, 53, of 327 Railroad St., Tamaqua, was charged with felony theft counts unlawful taking, failure to make required disposition of funds and deception as well as a felony count of receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor charge of tampering with records and two counts of violating Title 10 of the Pennsylvania statutes governing charitable organizations (breaching fiduciary duties and deceptive practices).Winterburn served as the treasurer of the booster organization from 2011 through 2014.Throughout that time, he presented monthly reports indicating the organization was financially sound. His last report noted a balance of $19,253.20 in the Santander Bank account.When Ann Gregoire was elected treasurer of the organization for the 2014-2015 season, she contacted the prior treasurer, seeking copies of the monthly reports as well as the bank statements. When her requests were ignored, she contacted association president Terry Kurek.Together, they went to the bank on Nov. 12, 2014, and were dismayed to find a fund balance of only $2,069.Gregoire then conducted an audit and discovered multiple unauthorized transactions.Booster club officers contacted Tamaqua Police Cpl. Henry Woods, who contacted Special Investigator Drew Koser of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Affairs.Koser performed an official audit and found 35 unauthorized transactions, made by Winterburn, between Jan. 24, 2011, and Aug. 12, 2014. Deposits were short. Money had been withdrawn at the ATM and several checks were issued to Winterburn himself.As Woods was preparing the criminal charges, a new wrinkle was added to the case. The association received a cashier's check in the amount of $20,000 on Feb. 12.The check was issued by Wells Fargo Bank, made out to the Tamaqua Boys Basketball Association. The priority mail envelope also contained an unsigned letter, apologizing for "letting Kurek and the association down."While the letter was unsigned, Winterburn's return address was on the envelope.Winterburn then turned himself in to authorities at 10 a.m. Wednesday.Judge Bayer set bail at $25,000 unsecured.