Letter to the Editor: Losing Bob Lawton bodes poorly for Luzerne County government

Class Reunion Notices

<p>DALLAS &#8212; The former chief financial officer for Northeast Title and Tag is headed to higher court on charges she stole over $100,000 from the business.</p><p>Kelly Annette Jones, 47, of Sweet Valley, appeared before Magisterial District Judge James Tupper for a preliminary hearing Thursday. Jones waived two felony theft charges to higher court, while a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance was dismissed.</p><p>Jones is accused of stealing over $100,000 in 2013 and 2014 to support gambling and drug habits.</p><p>According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were contacted by Luzerne County 911 at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in reference to a theft at Northeast Title and Tag on Route 309 in Dallas.</p><p>An officer arrived and met with owners Marie and Edward Carter. Marie told police she noticed money missing from the location and questioned Jones about the missing funds. During that conversation, Jones allegedly told Marie she had been stealing money due to a gambling and drug problem.</p><p>Jones was interviewed by police on the same day and allegedly indicated in a written statement she had been stealing money from the business for the past year for personal use. She estimated she had taken up to $15,000, and said the money was for gambling and drug habits.</p><p>When asked by police if she had any drugs in her possession, Jones allegedly reached into her purse and handed police a packet of suspected heroin. Marie fired Jones on the spot and asked for her keys to the building.</p><p>Further investigation determined that Jones allegedly created fake deposit tickets to match store records to cover the alleged thefts.</p><p>Jones was also responsible for electronically transferring PennDOT state funds from three store locations&#8217; escrow accounts to the state escrow account. Police said Jones electronically transferred the state funds to the Dallas location&#8217;s escrow account to cover up the cash she allegedly took.</p><p>As a result of Jones not auditing and controlling the state escrow account, Northeast Title and Tag was charged approximately $5,985 in overdraft fees from First National Bank of Pennsylvania.</p><p>Police say state funds were not deposited into the state account and state payments were not honored by the bank. Northeast Title and Tag subsequently received 12 intents to suspend contract agreements from PennDOT.</p><p>It was also determined Jones issued receipts to customers, but would then delete records when the customers left the business. Police say that enabled Jones to keep the cash customers paid.</p><p>Investigators say the total amount stolen was $27,600.09 in 2013 and $86,739.94 in 2014.</p><p>Jones is scheduled for a formal arraignment at 1 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Luzerne County Courthouse. She remains free on $50,000 unsecured bail.</p><p>Jones declined to comment at her hearing.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Kelly Annette Jones is accused of stealing over $100,000 from Northeast Title and Tag. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL120415joneshearing.jpg</photo0><caption0>Kelly Annette Jones is accused of stealing over $100,000 from Northeast Title and Tag. </caption0><photoCredit0>Clark Van Orden | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Former CFO of Northeast Title and Tag heading to higher court on felony theft charges