Business manager at YMCA has been charged with embezzling more than $56,000

Business manager at YMCA has been charged with embezzling more than $56,000A former business manager of the Pocono Family YMCA has been charged with embezzling more than $56,000 from the organization over five years.

Michele L. Gonzalez, 47, of Bushkill, was charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition and receiving stolen property after being accused of taking large sums of money from the Stroudsburg-based YMCA.

Stroudsburg Area Regional Police were informed by YMCA Chief Executive Officer Matt Rumph of the alleged embezzlement on Jan. 19, according to a criminal complaint.

Gonzalez resigned from her position with the organization on Dec. 11, 2015, after Rumph addressed a $1,056 check Gonzalez wrote for herself through the organization’s account, the complaint said.

Research by Rumph revealed that Gonzalez had allegedly stolen $6,010.35 in 2011; $7,741.27 in 2012; $14,767.44 in 2013; $12,967.15 in 2014 and $14,954.96 in 2015. In total, Gonzalez allegedly had taken $56,444.17 in unauthorized money from the organization, the complaint said.

The alleged thefts came in the form of bonus checks, advance paychecks and using YMCA checks to buy personal items, according to police.

She was paid regularly during the time of her alleged embezzlement, the complaint said.