Ryan Township's former tax collector changed his mind about admitting his theft of public money, and decided Monday in Schuylkill County Court to go to trial on charges of stealing more than $300,000 in county, township and school district tax receipts.
William G. Wildoner, 72, of Barnesville, now will be tried on three counts each of theft, receiving stolen property and theft by failure to make required disposition.
"Mr. Wildoner is desirous of withdrawing his guilty plea," Jeffrey M. Markosky, Mahanoy City, the defendant's lawyer, told Judge Jacqueline L. Russell. "He would like to go to trial."
When District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon told Russell she did not object to Wildoner withdrawing his plea, the judge allowed him to do so.
Russell, who had been scheduled to sentence Wildoner, instead informed him he now is scheduled to be tried during the February 2013 criminal court term.
Wildoner, who had pleaded guilty Oct. 17 to three counts of theft, remains free on $40,000 unsecured bail pending further court proceedings.
State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Wildoner with stealing $376,718.80, including $171,145.08 from the school district and $39,572.94 from the township, between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010, while serving as the township's tax collector, a position he held for 35 years before resigning after being arrested.
Police said the thefts came to light April 1, 2011, when Wildoner notified the school district finance officer that he lost a tax deposit for $171,145.86. Police said school officials checked the reports and deposit slips provided by Wildoner, along with a computer-generated list of taxes paid, and found that all of the numbers did not add up and $171,145.86 was missing and unaccounted for as of the end of the 2010 tax year.
The school district, township and county all have settled their claims with the bonding company that insured Wildoner.
Byrnes-Noon declined to comment on the case after Monday's hearing.Defendant: William G. Wildoner
Age: 72
Residence: Barnesville
Charges: Three counts each of theft, receiving stolen property and theft by failure to make required disposition