D.A.: Ex-teachers union official stole $400K
Amity resident accused of embezzling funds since 2014
The former longtime treasurer of the union representing Reading School District teachers was charged Thursday with embezzling more than $400,000 since 2016.
Lisa A. Herbinko, 49, of Amity Township resigned as treasurer of the Reading Education Association in early September after being confronted by the union president about unauthorized withdrawals from union accounts, Berks County detectives said.
It was discovered she had been making regular withdrawals from association bank accounts and depositing the money into her personal bank account and one under the name of a close relative, detectives said.
The amount taken from First National Bank accounts totaled $368,620. Additionally, Herbinko is accused of taking $40,000 from the Reading Berks School Employees Credit Union.
Herbinko of the 100 block of Guldin Road remained free to await a hearing following arraignment Thursday night before District Judge Kim L. Bagenstose in Reading Central Court.
She faces felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and tampering with records.
According to the complaint:
The union president was made aware of suspicious transactions in early September and confronted Herbinko, who admitted embezzling funds and offered to repay what she had taken.
Herbinko hasn’t repaid any of the money.
Association officials ordered an audit before contacting county detectives in late September. The total that she took was determined to be $408,620.
Herbinko, who was solely responsible for filing tax forms, is also accused of making false reports. The audit found unpaid taxes dating to 2016 — years for which she claimed to the board that she had paid the taxes.
Herbinko also had not been making required payments to the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the umbrella union, or filling out the required form mandated by PSEA.
REA officials deferred comment to PSEA.
“PSEA and the Reading Education Association are monitoring this case very closely and cooperating with law enforcement,” said Chris Lilienthal, PSEA assistant director of communications. “We have no further comment at this time.”