Thefts follow fund-raisers

Woman indicted in Girl Scout, school money cases

3/29/2012

A Toledo woman who participated in fund-raisers for both a local Girl Scout troop and a Washington Local elementary school was indicted by a Lucas County grand jury Wednesday for theft.

Debby Hamernik, 39, of 803 Gribbin Lane was charged with one count each of theft and of grand theft. If convicted, she faces up to 2 1/2 years in prison.

Washington Township authorities said Ms. Hamernik was involved with Girl Scout Troop 10478 and that she notified the troop that all profits from the cookie sale were missing.

According to court documents, an amount in excess of $1,294 from cookie sale profits and member dues from 2011 are missing. The complaint further stated Ms. Hamernik said she "has no ideas" where the money is and failed to turn in any requested money or financial records.

In a separate case, Ms. Hamernik is charged with stealing $7,480 from the Shoreland Elementary Parents Club. Specifically, court documents state she acknowledged the sale of 374 coupon books at a cost of $20 each but failed to turn in the money. The school, authorities said, was responsible for purchasing the books at $10 each, for a loss of $3,740.