Montgomery County, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Chief Mark D. Flanders of the Pottstown Borough Police Department announce the arrest of John REBER, Pottstown, PA for committing Theft by Deception, Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds and related offenses.

Between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2009 REBER was director of the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department.   He was also Chairman of the Pottstown Fourth of July Committee during this time, a non-profit organization created to raise funds for the annual Pottstown Independence Day celebration.  The Fourth of July Committee is a separate entity which works with, but is not affiliated with, the Borough of Pottstown.

The Montgomery County Detective Bureau and Pottstown Police Department conducted a joint investigation and determined that REBER stole approximately $15,721 from the Fourth of July Committee between July 2008 and March 2009.  REBER embezzled the money by making unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the Committee’s banking account without permission. REBER admitted he initially lost $10,000 in cash raised by the committee. REBER was supposed to deposit the money into the Fourth of July Committee account.  REBER admitted taking more money so he could play the lottery and hopefully win back all of the stolen funds.

REBER is scheduled to turn himself in at Pottstown Police Department on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 1:30pm. Arraignment is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Durkin, 2093 East High Street, Pottstown, PA on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 2:15pm.  Assistant District Attorney Christopher Parisi is assigned to prosecute the case.

   

   Approved for release:

 

   Risa Vetri Ferman