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<p>JENKINS TWP. &#8212; A part-time secretary for Jenkins Township is heading to county court on theft charges after investigators say she stole nearly $5,000 from the municipality.</p><p>Olivia Raye Klush, 26, of Pittston, is facing one charge each of theft by unlawful taking and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds.</p><p>Court documents indicate Klush was scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Alexandra Kokura Kravitz on Nov. 9. A criminal docket for Klush indicates both charges have been waived to higher court.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint:</p><p>Officials with the township reached out to police on July 16 to report discrepancies in garbage bag and bulk sticker sales at the municipal building.</p><p>Supervisors for the township reported that during the second quarter sales period, there was a &#8220;substantial amount&#8221; of money missing.</p><p>Investigators obtained surveillance footage from the municipal building, along with written and computer log forms. It was determined that Klush allegedly did not log or report any of the sales during that period.</p><p>During an interview with investigators, Klush allegedly told investigators she forgot to log that a bag sale to her cash drawer was over projected sales costs that day.</p><p>Klush then said that instead of documenting the extra cash and leaving it in the cash box, she continued to put cash in her pocket and left with it, according to investigators.</p><p>Klush later allegedly told investigators she was &#8220;going through hard times&#8221; and continued to not log sales and take the cash with her at the end of her shifts.</p><p>Investigators said the alleged thefts started in April until she was suspended from her position on July 17.</p><p>Investigators ultimately determined that there were 111 garbage bag rolls unaccounted for, for a total theft of $4,911.75.</p><p>An official at Jenkins Township confirmed Monday that Klush remains suspended without pay.</p><p>Klush is scheduled for a formal arraignment at the Luzerne County Courthouse at 9 a.m. on Feb. 9.</p><p>She is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">A photo of Olivia Raye Klush, courtesy of social media.</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_15037108_527095517496664_5684428861812400451_n-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>A photo of Olivia Raye Klush, courtesy of social media.</caption0><photoCredit0></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>

Investigators: Jenkins Twp. secretary stole nearly $5,000 from the municipality