All news

Pennsylvania treasurer caught stealing funds to feed lottery habit

Former official drains over $100K in public funds, blowing $1,500 a day on lottery tickets.

Antoinette Hodge, former City of Uniontown treasurer.
Antoinette Hodge, the former City of Uniontown treasurer found guilty of stealing over $100,000 in taxpayer money. Photograph credit to CBS Pittsburgh.
Todd Betzold

The former treasurer of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, has been found guilty of stealing over $100,000 in taxpayer money collected by her office between 2020 and 2021, authorities announced.

The initial investigation

In 2019, Antoinette Hodge was elected as the City of Uniontown treasurer. However, an investigation was launched in early 2021 by the Uniontown City Council after more than a dozen taxpayers received delinquency notices even though they had already paid their taxes.

An extensive audit of the 2020-2021 timeframe was conducted and investigators found there was a loss of $106,750 of taxpayer money during that time.

A grand jury then investigated, and they determined Hodge converted this money for her own personal gain. Members of Hodge's staff testified in front of the grand jury, saying that various changes were made under Hodge's leadership, including her taking over filling out deposit slips, taking over as the only person reviewing the tax account information, and eliminating other checks and balances within the Treasurer's Office.

The grand jury also determined Hodge took numerous costly vacations and spent tens of thousands of dollars each year on gambling during this time period.

Then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro said:

The defendant is a public official entrusted to oversee city funds with integrity and accountability. Instead, she is accused of stealing from taxpayers to enrich herself. My office will investigate and prosecute anyone who abuses their position of power for their own financial gain.

At that time, Hodge was charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, misapplication of entrusted property, obstructing administration of law or other governmental function, and perjury.

Jury finds Hodge guilty

The trial recently wrapped up, and a Fayette County jury returned guilty verdicts against Hodge, 54, on all of the charges.

During the trial, prosecutors stated Hodge was supposed to deposit over $106,000 in cash, but failed to do so. Instead, she spent that money on personal expenses, including spending more than $1,500 per day on lottery games.

Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement:

The defendant was elected to a position of trust in her community. She abused that trust and defrauded taxpayers for her own gain. Prosecuting these crimes is vital to maintaining the integrity of local government. My office will continue to protect taxpayers and ensure that any individual who tries to abuse their position will face the consequences of their actions.

Hodge lost re-election bid

Hodge committed these crimes while serving as Treasurer of Uniontown, but she is no longer serving in that role.

She ran for re-election in the May 2023 primary, but lost that bid. She ended up serving the rest of her term and left office at the end of 2023.

After the guilty verdict came through, Hodge now waits to be sentenced, which is scheduled to take place on November 21, 2024.

Enjoy playing the Pennsylvania Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.

Comments

0
Loading comments

Related articles

Lucky five matches
Five-ball fever: Six states hit jackpot wins in one weekend

Five-ball draws proved their power, with Pennsylvania even doubling up with back-to-back jackpot wins.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

Left to right, Marcos Vinicyus and Roberto Jefferson da Silva, Danny Smith Jr., and Dontrell Hanes.
From winners to targets: When kidnappers come for lottery millionaires

One of these lottery winners had to shoot the man trying to kidnap her.

Alex Cramer profile pic

Alex Cramer

Terrance Patton Jr. was arrested and charged with four counts of intent to defraud and counterfeit game tickets.
Man charged in scratch-off scam after cashing in hundreds in prize money

Circle K, Publix, and more — he hit several spots before landing behind bars.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

Justice scales and gavel
Lottery ticket scam lands Michigan man in jail, $10K restitution

Authorities say over $7,000 in tickets were bought using stolen credit cards before detectives caught him.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

Recent articles

View All
Monks praying
Thailand reminds monks: No lottery predictions allowed

A centuries-old ban is back in focus as fortune-telling monks face new scrutiny. But will the warnings stick?

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

Police car lights
California thieves drag off a $20K lottery machine

The vending machine was found busted with tickets inside, but officials say they’re useless once deactivated.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

Carrie Edwards, $150,000 Virginia Lottery winner. Photograph credit: Virginia Lottery.
Virginia woman wins $150,000 lottery: Gives every penny away

Woman honors late husband by giving away $150,000 lottery win to three causes. 

Samantha Herscher profile pic

Samantha Herscher

Surveillance footage of robbery suspect. Photograph credit: Houston Police Department
74-year-old targeted in daylight robbery — police want your help

A lottery ticket errand turned shocking for one Houston man, and he hopes the suspect learns a lesson.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold