The former treasurer of the East End Fire Company in Tamaqua is accused of stealing $65,000 from the organization.

Teresa A. Ristila, 60, Tamaqua, is facing theft and related charges for taking the money between Aug. 19, 2021 and Nov. 27, Tamaqua police said.

Patrolman Karl Harig began the investigation on March 8, when an East End official told police that Ristila had some property that belonged to the fire company.

Police contacted Ristila, who served as treasurer from 2014-21, later that day. She told officers that she had a “bad year,” had been bedridden and had spent time in the hospital. She told Harig that she was getting everything together and would return it in a few days. She also told police that said had emailed the fire company’s current treasurer with passwords to accounts.

But on March 28, the fire company sent a statement to police noting that Ristila still had access to fire company accounts, usernames and passwords, keys and codes to the building and cash registers, along with invoices, deposit slips, uncashed checks and check stubs.

On April 13, police said Ristila emailed the fire company with old identifications and passwords for closed accounts. The current secretary also told police that with help from local state representatives, she was able to renew the company’s liquor license with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Other items had not been returned at that point, police said.

On Nov. 15, the current secretary visited the police station with the results of a forensic audit that discovered the $65,000 theft.

Harig charged Ristila with one felony count each of theft and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received; and one misdemeanor count each of tampering with records or identification and theft.

She was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli, Frackville, who set bail at $30,000 unsecured.

A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, is scheduled for Dec. 20.