Woman guilty of taking Girl Scout funds
8/7/2012A tearful Debby Hamernik admitted Monday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court that instead of turning in the money from a Girl Scout troop fund-raiser last spring, she pocketed the proceeds.
Ms. Hamernik, 39, of 803 Gribbin Lane pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of petty theft. She faces up to one year in jail when sentenced Sept. 19 by Judge Linda Jennings.
She originally was charged with grand theft and theft, but the charges were reduced to misdemeanors with the consent of the victim organizations. Ms. Hamernik agreed to pay restitution and agreed not to engage in any financial duties associated with any group or organization.
Authorities said Ms. Hamernik was involved with Girl Scout Troop 10478 and that leaders reported an amount in excess of $1,294 from cookie sale profits and member dues from 2011 were missing.
Court documents also stated that Ms. Hamernik stole $7,480 from the Shoreland Elementary Parents Club.