SMETHPORT – The former Bradford woman accused of stealing more
than $300,000 pleaded guilty Thursday in McKean County Court to a
felony charge of theft – but the amount of money taken is still
under dispute.

Stephanie Cramer, 42, now of Plant City, Fla., entered a guilty
plea to taking “at least $50,000 to well over $100,000” from
Orchard Apartments Inc., while she was employed there, said
Assistant District Attorney Christa Schott.

She was also employed for John Kohler and had taken money from
him as well, Schott said. The thefts took place between Jan. 1,
2002, and Dec. 31, 2005.

Cramer’s attorney, Donna Smith of Coudersport, said the amount
taken remains in dispute and asked for a restitution hearing to be
set at a later date to have the court determine the amount of money
that Cramer must repay to her employers.

While no date was immediately set for such a hearing, Schott
asked the court administrator to schedule at least a half-day for a
hearing on the matter.

In exchange for Cramer’s guilty plea, several other counts of
theft were dismissed.

However, Schott said, it was an open plea, meaning the district
attorney’s office did not enter an agreement as to the length of
sentence that Cramer will serve. That will be left to the judge’s
discretion.

According to court records, Cramer – while working as office
manager for Orchard Apartments and for Kohler – had been writing
out unauthorized checks to herself and using rubber stamps to
endorse them.

Cramer remains incarcerated at McKean County Jail in lieu of
bail.