by peter e. bortner
PORT CARBON - Brenda S. Shuman, who prosecutors allege stole more than $50,000 from the Minersville fire company and EMS service for which she worked, must appear in Schuylkill County Court after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko bound over for court seven counts each of theft by deception, theft of lost property, theft and access device fraud and two of forgery against Shuman, 47, of Jones-town, after the defendant waived her right to the hearing.
Plachko, who had been scheduled to preside over the hearing, allowed Shuman to remain free on $50,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.
Shuman, formerly of Pottsville, said nothing before Plachko except to indicate she understood what her waiver of the hearing meant and that she did it voluntarily.
Minersville police have charged Shuman with taking the money between August 2008 and November 2011 while she worked as treasurer and billing-office manager for Goodwill Fire Company and Minersville EMS. Shuman's responsibilities included office operations, payroll, making purchases, billing customers for services rendered by Minersville EMS and collecting and depositing money received, police said.
Police allege that an investigation revealed that Shuman made unauthorized purchases on credit and debit cards, gave herself an unauthorized raise and wrote numerous checks made out to cash.
Police said Shuman used the money she took for personal expenses, including shoes, items from gift shops and airline tickets.
Shuman and her lawyer, Anthony James Urban, Pottsville, each left Plachko's courtroom without commenting on the case.
Assistant District Attorneys Thomas J. Campion Jr. and Rebecca A. Elo also declined on Wednesday to comment on the case.
James G. Conville, Schuylkill Haven, the fire company's solicitor, said the firefighters are pleased that the matter is headed for court.
"The members (of the company) are satisfied the case was bound over for court," he said.Defendant: Brenda S. Shuman
Age: 47
Residence: Jonestown
Charges: Seven counts each of theft by deception, theft of lost property, theft and access device fraud and two of forgery
